FG urges contractors to speed up work on Abuja–Lokoja Road

The Federal Government has urged contractors handling the Abuja–Lokoja road projects to step up performance to meet deadlines.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that for the reconstruction of the Kotonkarfe–Abaji, Abuja-bound section being handled by Messrs Trucrete Solutions Nig. Ltd on the Abuja–Lokoja project, covering about 47 kilometres, only 10.21 per cent has been completed.

Whereas the repair of the Lokoja–Ganaja road, being constructed with concrete pavement by Gitto Costruzioni General Nig. Ltd and awarded in October 2023 for a period of six months, has recorded 99.73 per cent completion.

The rehabilitation of Abuja–Lokoja Section 4A by Sailthrough Construction Ltd has only witnessed a 22.40 per cent completion rate.

Also, the dualisation of the Lokoja–Benin road, Section I, Phases I and II (Obajana Junction–Okene road), being handled by CGC Nigeria Ltd, has witnessed only a 38.04 per cent completion rate.

Speaking while inspecting the project, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central Region), Dr Abiodun Essiet, said the inspection team was aimed at assessing the rate of progress and engaging the community.

According to Essiet, the road is very special because it links the North to the South, adding that although contractors are on site, the pace of work remains below expectations.

“During the festive period, we recorded heavy traffic on this axis, which prompted the intervention of the Minister of Works.

“The contractor was asked to open the side of the road that has been completed.

“The progress of work done is not encouraging at all. Just a few months are left to the deadline and they have not been able to achieve much. I am not impressed by the level of progress being made.

“That is why we are pleading with the controller and the contractors to make sure that they intensify efforts, because this is a very busy road and a whole lot of people are expecting more from Mr President on this road,” she said.

Essiet called on the contractors to do more in terms of deploying additional equipment and collaborating with other stakeholders to ensure the project is completed within the stipulated time.

She stressed the need for better communication with the public, urging contractors to promptly inform government and the media about road diversions or temporary blockages to ensure smooth travel for road users.

The presidential aide assured the contractors of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to funding the project, stating that payments would be made under a structured arrangement, including support from the Renewed Hope Intervention Fund.

She said, “Funding should not be an excuse for delay. Contractors were awarded these projects based on their demonstrated capacity.

“The President has assured that funds will be made available, but that does not stop contractors from intensifying work and meeting agreed timelines.”

She also called on contractors to deploy additional equipment and manpower to fast-track completion, stressing that the road is being constructed with concrete rather than asphalt, a process that requires patience and understanding from host communities.

Commending the efforts of security and traffic agencies, Essiet praised the Police and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for assisting with traffic diversions.

She urged continued coordination among all stakeholders to ensure safe and seamless movement along the corridor.

Addressing concerns previously raised by contractors over insecurity, she revealed that the issue had been resolved, with the military agreeing to provide round-the-clock security following approval from the relevant brigade command.

Responding, some of the contractors handling the Abuja–Lokoja road project attributed the slow pace of work to challenges such as funding, insecurity, non-payment of certificates, traffic management and site access, among others, as key constraints affecting concrete placement.

The Controller of Works, Patiko Musa, said that although progress had been made, delays had affected the project timeline.

Musa added that work is ongoing on two sections, handled by different contractors, with plans to accelerate activities once extensions and revised schedules are approved.

He said the complaints raised by the contractors were being addressed and assured that their requests for extensions and payments would be considered.

In another development, Musa, accompanied by the inspection team, inaugurated a special intervention to address the effects of flooding on a washed-out embankment at kilometre 27 along the Itobe–Anyingba road in Kogi State.

Explaining the initiative, the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, said the project was one of the 260 emergency federal road interventions approved nationwide by the current administration.

Ahmed said the emergency projects were necessitated by the poor condition of critical federal road sections inherited in 2023, stressing that all 260 interventions have been completed and opened to traffic.

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Lokoja Branch, community leaders and residents commended the Federal Government and contractors for the interventions, while urging sustained funding, improved environmental management and timely completion of all ongoing projects.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Kogi State Ministry of Works, Abdussalam Seguir, commended the Federal Government for the interventions, noting improved traffic flow and reduced travel time for residents.

(NAN)