*Photo:Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi(right)*
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, on Friday ordered the immediate removal of a Controller of Works over delays and alleged misconduct in the execution of the Mararaba–Keffi Expressway project.
He took the action during an inspection tour of the ongoing expansion of the 43-kilometre Mararaba–Keffi corridor, where he directed China Harbour Engineering Company, the contractor handling the project, to complete and hand over the road on or before February 28, 2026.
Umahi accused the removed official of issuing fraudulent certificates that enabled payments for incomplete or unexecuted works, including earlier palliative interventions.
He thereafter directed the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry to immediately redeploy the officer and appoint a new Controller to supervise the project.
The Minister also instructed the company to submit a detailed work timetable and a written commitment confirming its readiness to meet the February deadline.
He equally ordered the immediate removal of hand-moulded caps along the road, directing that concreting of the median should commence without further delay, alongside the installation of solar-powered streetlights across the entire stretch.
While expressing dissatisfaction with the pace of work, Umahi attributed the persistent lapses not only to the contractor but also to negligence by officials of the Ministry of Works assigned to supervise the project.
He said “I am giving you the end of February to hand over this job. You must come to my office on Wednesday with your timetable and a commitment to complete the project by then.
“I have been here more than eight times. Now the problem is my staff, and today I will set an example of what 2026 will be like.”