The Federal Government has expressed dissatisfaction with the quality and pace of work on the Keffi–Nasarawa–Toto–Abaji road project in Nasarawa State, accusing the contractor, Wizchino Engineering Limited, of failing to meet required standards.
Speaking on Friday after inspecting ongoing federal road projects across the state, the Federal Controller of Works in Nasarawa, Ishaku Mamri, said the contractor had not adhered to the specifications of the Federal Ministry of Works despite repeated directives.
Mamri lamented that the pace of work remained slow even after funds were released to ensure steady progress on the project. He said several efforts had been made to compel the contractor to follow laid-down procedures, but compliance had remained unsatisfactory.
“To be honest, I’m disappointed. The work is not done the way it is supposed to be done,” Mamri said. “When we give them instructions, they ignore them and do what they like. This is not a banana republic; the ministry has procedures that must be followed.”
According to him, the ministry had already summoned the contractor to a meeting at its headquarters, where assurances were given that improvements would be made, but no significant changes had been observed since.
Also reacting, the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nasarawa State Council, Salihu Alkali, urged the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to revoke the contract due to the slow pace of work and alleged use of substandard equipment.
Alkali criticised what he described as unprofessional construction practices, claiming that workers were seen pouring bitumen on the road using watering cans. He said such actions amounted to a disservice to both the state and the federal government.
Similarly, the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Mu’azu Adamu Gosho, expressed concern over the contractor’s performance. He noted that the road project was of major importance to the state and called for faster progress before the onset of the rainy season.
Gosho warned that failure to accelerate the work could worsen road conditions once the rains begin, adding that residents were eager to see the project completed.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Works commended progress on the 15-kilometre Lafia bypass linking Lafia to Makurdi, saying the project had reached 92.6 per cent completion and would be ready for use by the end of March 2026.
Officials said the bypass is expected to ease heavy traffic congestion in the Lafia metropolis and improve connectivity to Nigeria’s south-eastern region.