The Federal Government has taken decisive action by terminating multiple road construction contracts in Kogi State following significant delays and poor performance by the contractors handling these critical infrastructure projects.
Contract Termination Details
Works Minister Engr Dave Umahi announced the termination of sections of the Abuja-Lokoja, Lokoja-Shintaku-Dekina, and Okene-Ajaokuta roads during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, November 25, 2025. The announcement was made through the Director of Public Relations, Mohammed A. Ahmed.
The decision was reached during a meeting that included the Minister of Works, Directors of Highways responsible for Construction and Rehabilitation, Engr. Clement Ogbuagu, the Director of the North Central Zone, Engr. Salihu K. Ahmed, the Federal Controller of Works in Kogi State, and representatives of the affected contractors.
Specific Contract Terminations
Contract No. 8493 handled by Messrs Sadogi (Nigeria) Limited for culverts and drains at a flood-prone area on Abuja-Lokoja Road showed only 39.04% completion despite 112.88% time elapsed since its award on April 4, 2024.
Contract number 8476 awarded to Messrs Venus Construction (Nigeria) Ltd for rehabilitation of Abuja-Lokoja Road had achieved merely 33.79% completion with 131.15% time elapsed since July 13, 2024.
Contract number 7648 for reconstruction of Okene-Ajaokuta-Itobe road handled by Messrs CCECC (Nigeria) Ltd showed alarming statistics with only 2.02% completion despite 146.92% time elapsed since November 18, 2022.
Contract number 7239 for rehabilitation of Lokoja-Shintaku-Dekina-Ayingba road by TEC Engineering Company (Nigeria) Ltd recorded the worst performance with only 1.04% completion and 188.77% time elapsed since February 3, 2022.
Government Intervention and Future Plans
Minister Umahi emphasized that these terminations align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda to enhance infrastructure and transportation as growth enablers. The minister stated that all terminated projects will be re-awarded to ensure completion.
In a positive development, Engr. Umahi commended Messrs JRB Construction (Nigeria) Limited for good performance on Section one of the Abuja-Lokoja road and directed that the project be completed before December 10, 2025.
The minister appealed for patience from road users along the Abuja-Lokoja Expressway, assuring that relief was imminent and that intervention projects would progress simultaneously to address the transportation challenges in the region.
