The Federal Government has expressed dissatisfaction with the quality and pace of work on the Keffi–Nasarawa–Toto–Abaji road project in Nasarawa State being handled by Wizchino Engineering Limited.
The government also lamented the slow progress of the project despite releasing funds to the contractor to facilitate timely completion.
Speaking with journalists on Friday after inspecting ongoing federal road projects across the state, the Federal Controller of Works in Nasarawa State, Ishaku Mamri, said the contractor had failed to comply with the ministry’s specifications despite repeated directives.
Mamri explained that the construction agenda of the Federal Ministry of Works is to ensure that all roads built under its supervision are durable and capable of serving Nigerians for many years.
“To be honest, this set of contractors, I’m disappointed in them. The work is not done the way it is supposed to be done. When I give them a letter on what to do, they will not do it; they will do what they feel like doing. And I told them that this is not a banana republic,” he said.
He added that the contractor had earlier been invited to a meeting at the ministry’s headquarters where it promised to improve performance, but no noticeable changes had been recorded since then.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nasarawa State Council, Salihu Alkali, called on the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to revoke the contract awarded to Wizchino Engineering Limited over alleged poor quality of work, slow progress and the use of substandard equipment.
Alkali, who expressed displeasure during the inspection, described the situation as a disservice to both the state and the Federal Government.
“Can you imagine using watering cans to pour bitumen on the road? Government spending should be accounted for,” he said.
Also speaking, the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Mu’azu Adamu Gosho, said the road project is of significant importance to the state government and residents, stressing the need for the contractor to speed up work.
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He warned that with the rainy season approaching, urgent efforts must be made to address the deteriorating sections of the road.
“The contractor appears to be too slow in handling the job. He needs to put in more effort so that a larger portion of the road can be completed before the next rainy season,” Gosho said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Works has pledged to complete the ongoing 15-kilometre Lafia bypass leading to Makurdi, which connects to the South-East region of the country.
Mamri disclosed that the project, initially awarded with a completion period of 48 months, has reached 92.6 per cent completion and is expected to be ready for use by the end of March 2026.
He noted that the road project had undergone several engineering integrity assessments by professional regulatory bodies and commended Umahi for his commitment to quality infrastructure and timely delivery of road projects nationwide.
During the inspection tour, the team also visited Kwarra community in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State to assess progress on a 6.4-kilometre road project awarded in 2022 under the previous administration.