News

Umahi Cracks Down on Non-Performing Contractors, Says Tinubu Should Not Be Blamed for Project Delays

Published

5 months ago

June 10, 2026

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has issued a stern warning to contractors handling Federal Government road projects, insisting that poor performance and avoidable delays must not be allowed to undermine the infrastructure agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Umahi delivered the warning during an inspection tour of ongoing road and bridge projects across Kogi and Edo States, where he expressed concern over the slow pace of work on sections of the Abuja-Lokoja Dual Carriageway and the Obajana Junction-Benin Road dualisation project.

The Minister said reports submitted to the Ministry did not reflect the realities observed on the project sites, describing the situation as unacceptable.

“I am very disappointed with what I have seen on the ground. The level of work does not correspond with what was reported to us,” he said.
He revealed that due to funding limitations, the scope of one section of the Abuja-Lokoja road project had been reduced from 49.28 kilometres to 28 kilometres to ensure available resources are concentrated on the most critical areas.

Umahi reiterated the Ministry’s policy that no section of a federal highway under construction should remain closed to traffic for more than 14 days. Consequently, he handed an ultimatum to one of the affected contractors to complete the designated section within the stipulated timeframe or face contract termination.

The Minister also directed GELD Construction Company to utilise funds already released for the project and demonstrate visible progress within 72 hours.

While expressing dissatisfaction with some contractors, Umahi singled out JRB Construction Company for commendation, praising its quality of work, professionalism, and commitment to timely delivery.

“If everyone performs their responsibilities diligently, there will be no reason to blame Mr. President for project delays,” he stated.

According to the Minister, the Tinubu administration inherited a severely deteriorated federal road network but has continued to invest heavily in infrastructure renewal despite economic and funding challenges.

He stressed that accountability must be strengthened at all levels of project implementation, directing Federal Controllers of Works, Engineers’ Representatives, and project supervisors to intensify monitoring and ensure strict compliance with procurement and project execution standards.

During the inspection tour, Umahi visited Section III of the Abuja-Lokoja Dual Carriageway, where reconstruction works and the completion of an additional carriageway are ongoing. He also assessed projects being executed by Trucrete Solutions Limited along the Koton Karfe-Abuja corridor.

The Minister further inspected critical bridge projects along the route and reviewed progress on the dualisation of the Lokoja-Benin Road, including the Obajana Junction-Okene section and the Okene-Auchi corridor spanning Kogi and Edo States.

At the flyover and interchange project being handled by CCG Contractors, Umahi noted that the flyover components had reached about 80 per cent completion, while work on the interchange stood at roughly 30 per cent.

Also speaking during the tour, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, applauded Umahi’s leadership and determination to ensure value for public funds.
He stressed that elected officials should not continue to bear responsibility for the shortcomings of contractors, noting that Nigerians expect visible results from ongoing infrastructure investments.

Onyesoh also urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Federal Ministry of Finance to ensure prompt release of funds to support project execution.
Similarly, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Hon. Akin Alabi, called for greater collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of road projects nationwide.

He assured contractors that the Federal Government remains committed to meeting legitimate payment obligations while commending JRB Construction Company for its significant contribution to infrastructure development.

Responding to concerns raised during the inspection, Managing Director of GELD Construction Company, Fadi Azimi, pledged that the company would intensify efforts and improve the pace of work to meet the Ministry’s expectations.

The Ministry of Works reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing accountability among contractors and ensuring the timely delivery of quality road and bridge projects aimed at improving connectivity, boosting economic activities, and enhancing the lives of Nigerians.

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Foreign news

Algeria’s Glorious Revolution: Embassy Marks 72nd Anniversary in Abuja

Published

5 hours ago

November 12, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Embassy of Algeria in Nigeria has commemorated the 72nd anniversary of the country’s Glorious Revolution of November 1, 1954, with a reception in Abuja, highlighting Algeria’s liberation struggle and strengthening diplomatic relations with Nigeria.

The event, held on November 9, 2026, at Continental Suites Hotel, attracted prominent personalities, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, members of the Federal Government, senior government officials, heads of diplomatic missions and other friends of Algeria.

Speaking at the reception, Algeria’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued, welcomed guests and paid tribute to the country’s freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for independence.

He described the November 1, 1954 revolution as the foundation of modern Algeria, noting that the sacrifices of the nation’s martyrs made it possible for the country to reclaim its sovereignty.

On Algeria’s development agenda, Mezoued said President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s administration had continued to pursue economic reforms, diversification and national development under its New Algeria vision.

He noted that the country was recording progress in non-hydrocarbon exports, while improvements in the business environment had boosted investor confidence and attracted significant foreign investments.

On foreign policy, the ambassador reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to non-interference, respect for national sovereignty, peaceful conflict resolution and the right of peoples to self-determination.

Addressing security challenges in the Sahel, he stressed that lasting peace could not be achieved through military measures alone, insisting that economic development, inclusive dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes remained essential.

Turning to Nigeria-Algeria relations, Mezoued described the partnership as one founded on shared values and the commitment of both countries’ leaders to advancing African development.

He identified the Trans-Saharan Highway, Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Trans-Saharan Fibre Optic Backbone as major strategic projects receiving attention from both countries.

The ambassador also disclosed that Algeria had continued to provide scholarships to Nigerian students to strengthen human capital development and capacity building.

He further announced that Air Algérie expanded its Nigerian operations on October 26, 2026, with the introduction of two weekly flights to Lagos, expressing confidence that the service would boost trade and tourism.

Looking ahead, Mezoued said 2027 would offer fresh opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly through the fifth Joint High Bi-National Commission scheduled to hold in Abuja.

He expressed optimism that the meeting would provide an opportunity to assess existing partnerships, identify new areas of cooperation and move Nigeria-Algeria relations towards a more practical and results-driven phase.

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