Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has expressed displeasure over the slow pace of toll collection along Keffi–Akwanga axis of the Abuja–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi corridor subjecting motorists to under hardship.
He directed the concessionaires, Messrs China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company (CHOMC), to provide relief stations where drivers could park and access essential amenities.
This follows the commencement of e-collection of tolls on the road which has elicited outcries from commuters plying the route.
The minister, during a visit yesterday to the Toll Plaza at Garaku, Nasarawa State, as a remedial measure, directed the concessionaires, Messrs China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company (CHOMC) to immediately increase the number of collection points, deploy more Point-of-Sale (POS) devices, and as well as relief stations for public pleasure and convenience.
The director of Information, Ministry of Works, Mohammed Ahmed said, while assuring road users of smoother passage at the Toll Plaza, the minister promised to revisit the site on Monday, February 10, to assess compliance with his directives.
He said “The tollgate is not meant to have this kind of bottleneck. The current operation is inadequate, and we are giving the Concessionaire until Monday to make the necessary improvements. If by then this bottleneck is not resolved, I will release the traffic and replace them.”
The minister, emphasising the importance of relief stations where vehicles could park and access essential amenities, cautioned the operators that failure to comply with this requirement would result in the loss of their business. “We will not tolerate anyone exploiting the plight of Nigerians. “If you wish to operate in this sector, you must meet the required standards,” he added.
Engr. Umahi also addressed the slow progress of the remaining works, the Abuja –Keffi section, directing that the contractor, Messrs China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), be issued a 14-day notice of termination immediately, due to unsatisfactory performance and effluxion of time.
He berated the company for achieving a meagre 8.7 percent of the project despite receiving mobilisation funds, also surpassing 46 percent of the agreed timeline.
He said “The people are suffering, and the President is deeply concerned. Contractors cannot continue to mismanage Nigeria’s resources while failing to deliver as agreed. If there is no significant improvement within 14 days, we will take over the job.”
He further directed that mobilisation funds already disbursed would not be subject to any review reiterating that contractors must be held accountable for delays resulting in cost escalations.
Umahi further instructed that the road median be reconfigured and equipped with solar-powered lights to enhance visibility and safety in the corridor.
The minister also mandated the immediate reconstruction of all failed sections of the completed alignment (Kebbi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi), stressing that substandard work would not be tolerated by the present administration.
Reaffirming the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to delivering high-quality road infrastructure to Nigerians, he assured the public that necessary corrective measures would be implemented.
He said, “The president has granted the ministry full authority to terminate any contract where political interests take precedence over performance. China Harbour Engineering Company, in particular, has been issued an ultimatum to complete one full carriageway by April or face termination of the contract.”