FG terminates Benin–Warri road contract over abandonment
The Federal Government has ended the contract given to Levant Construction Limited for the rebuilding of the Benin–Sapele–Warri highway, citing the company’s inability to carry out the project.
David Umahi, the Minister of Works, made the announcement on Tuesday in Abuja following a meeting with contractors involved in the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme. He accused Levant of neglecting its section of the highway despite numerous warnings and a final notice of termination.
“Despite several appeals and interventions, Levant did not resume work on site. The Edo State Government intervened to repair a 23-kilometre stretch at ₦35 billion, while Levant made no progress. We had no option but to terminate their contract,” Umahi remarked.
A statement from the minister’s media aide, Orji Uchenna, confirmed that Umahi instructed the Permanent Secretary to initiate formal termination processes, evaluate completed work, and liaise with the contractor’s bank for recovery of the Advance Payment Guarantee. Umahi cautioned that contractors who fail to repay public funds might face prosecution from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
In contrast, the minister praised Geld Construction and SKECC for their willingness to resume work after renegotiating contract terms in light of increasing material costs.
“The price of asphalt has surged from ₦9,000 to ₦30,000 per square metre. We’ve authorized adjustments to reflect this inflation,” Umahi mentioned, noting similar updates on the Lokoja–Abuja and Itoki–Ikorodu roads.
He also commended the efforts of Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Monday Okpebholo (Edo) for taking initiative to fix essential parts of federal roads in their states.
“These governors have displayed admirable leadership by intervening where necessary. Their proactive support is assisting us in closing funding and logistics gaps,” Umahi observed.
In response to claims of regional favoritism in road project allocations, Umahi rejected these allegations as “malicious and unfounded,” insisting that project distribution is based on necessity, not geographical location.
“This administration distributes projects equitably. For example, Niger State accounts for 26% of the NNPC Tax Credit Scheme, while the South-West and South-East together receive less than 9%,” he clarified.
He also highlighted key infrastructure projects in the North, which include: the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano road (₦252bn for Sections I and III; Section II estimated at ₦525bn)
the Sokoto–Zamfara–Katsina–Kaduna highway (750km, ₦825bn)
the Bama and Dikwa roads in Borno (part of Dangote’s Tax Credit Scheme)
the Kebbi dual carriageway (₦958bn for one lane, with a second lane awaiting approval)
and a 439km Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe highway set to be expanded to six lanes.
According to Umahi, 52% of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope legacy road projects are situated in the North, while 48% are in the South.
Regarding the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, Umahi rejected claims of uneven investment.
“The Kebbi project alone is estimated to cost ₦958 billion for one lane. Once the second lane is approved, it could approach nearly ₦2 trillion—on par with the Lagos–Calabar project,” he added.
Commenting on the progress of work on the Eleme–Onne section of the East–West Road, Umahi noted that contractor RCC has accelerated progress, with recent asphalt work aiming to enhance traffic flow around flyovers.
“One carriageway has been completed. Additional asphalt is being applied only in areas around flyovers to facilitate better movement,” he explained.
Umahi reiterated the administration’s dedication to nationwide infrastructure development.
“President Tinubu is prioritizing road investment more than any previous administration I have observed. This marks a new era for Nigerian infrastructure, and the public will notice the changes,” he stated.
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