FG Orders Contractors To Accelerate Bida–Lapai–Lambata, Maje–Dikko Road Works.

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to restore full motorability on the critical Bida–Lapa–Lambata and Maje–Dikko road corridors in Niger State.

This as the  Minister of State for Works, Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, inspected the projects and while also directing contractors to accelerate remedial, palliative and permanent works.

The inspection, which took place on Thursday, 24 September 2026, formed part of the Federal Ministry of Works’ sustained monitoring of critical road projects across the country, particularly inherited projects requiring urgent intervention to improve road safety, ease traffic movement and enhance connectivity.

Speaking during the inspection of the Bida–Lapai–Lambata corridor, the Minister sympathized with motorists, particularly articulated-vehicle operators, who have experienced prolonged delays and difficult travelling conditions along the route. 

He described the corridor as an important economic artery connecting communities in Niger State and facilitating the movement of agricultural produce, goods and people across the region.

Goronyo explained that the approximately 123.4-kilometre Bida–Lapai–Lambata project is an inherited project being executed under the Presidential/NNPC Tax Credit financing arrangement.

He noted that, in view of the heavy movement of articulated vehicles along the corridor, the project was designed with continuously reinforced concrete pavement to enhance its durability and service life.

The Minister said the Federal Government was concerned about the present condition of the road and would ensure the immediate mobilisation of the contractor for palliative intervention, while permanent reconstruction works progress.

"We deeply sympathise with the drivers and other road users. This is a very important economic corridor, and we cannot allow it to fail completely. We are going to push the contractor to mobilise early and undertake palliative works to provide relief to motorists while we await the full reconstruction of the road,” he said.

The Minister stressed that the present administration inherited several road projects across the country and had continued to address them rather than abandoning ongoing projects.

He said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, recognises the strategic importance of road infrastructure as an enabler of economic growth, trade, mobility and national development.

Goronyo assured motorists and communities along the corridor that the Ministry would continue to closely monitor the project and engage relevant stakeholders to ensure timely intervention and sustained progress.

At the Maje–Dikko section, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the significant improvement recorded following the Federal Government’s earlier directive for urgent intervention.

He, however, directed the contractor to redouble its efforts, mobilise additional equipment and materials, and sustain round-the-clock operations at critical sections of the corridor.

Goronyo recalled that the Ministry had given the contractor a 48-hour directive to restore passability on the affected sections and commended the progress achieved so far.

“The progress of the work so far is impressive, and we are satisfied with what you have been doing over the last few days. But you need to double your efforts, mobilise more materials and equipment, and concentrate on the difficult sections. Nigerians deserve better roads, and we have no excuse,” Goronyo said.

He directed the contractor to maintain the current tempo of work, particularly at locations where drainage and erosion challenges continue to affect traffic movement.

The Minister also disclosed that the Ministry would continue its daily monitoring of the corridor, either personally or through senior officials, stressing that the Federal Government was committed to ensuring that motorists regained easier and safer access along the route.

The Managing Director of Trunkroad Consortium Nigeria Limited, Mr. Isaac Abeka, said the contractor had responded to the Federal Government’s 48-hour directive by mobilising additional personnel, materials and equipment to the site.

He disclosed that the immediate intervention had significantly eased the major gridlock along the corridor, with traffic now flowing from the affected sections towards Lambata and Dikko.

According to him, failed sections were backfilled with stones, rocks and boulders, after which stone-base materials were applied and graded to improve the riding surface.

Abeka added that drainage channels had also been opened to facilitate the movement of water away from the roadway, while additional equipment had been deployed to the remaining difficult sections.

He assured that the intervention would be sustained towards the major bridge section.

Speaking on the Maje–Jazu Section II of the project, being handled by Messrs CCECC Nigeria Limited, the Minister expressed concern over the slow pace of work and directed the contractor to substantially increase its mobilisation and productivity to ensure delivery within the agreed timeline and required quality standards.

Goronyo noted that more than ₦10 billion had so far been released to the contractor as mobilisation out of the approximately ₦90 billion project value.

He said the level of work completed, which stood at about one per cent, was not commensurate with the funds already advanced or the progress expected under the project schedule.

“The amount so far released to you as mobilisation is over ₦10 billion. Yet, the progress of work on site is not commensurate with the amount that has been advanced to you. 

"The percentage of work completed is not even up to one per cent, whereas, according to the project schedule, you are expected to have achieved almost 16 per cent at this stage. Honestly, we are not satisfied with the progress of work,” he said.

The Minister further disclosed that the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, had been briefed on the progress of the project and had directed that the contractor be made to understand that the pace of work was unacceptable.

Goronyo stressed that the project, which covers approximately 71.9 kilometres and involves the construction of about 11 culverts and 11 bridges, required urgent acceleration.

He noted that although five or six structures had reportedly been completed, the overall physical progress remained about one per cent.

“The Minister is not satisfied with what you are doing, and that is also the position of all of us here. We are not satisfied with the progress recorded so far. Nigerians deserve better roads. Mr. President has already provided the necessary support and mobilisation for this project, and you have no excuse whatsoever not to deliver,” he said.

Goronyo noted that the project has a 36-month completion period, adding that almost six months had already been consumed without appreciable progress.

He therefore directed the contractor to mobilise more machines, equipment, materials and manpower to accelerate construction.

We want this project delivered within record time. Nigerians are yearning for better roads, and we cannot continue to accept excuses,” the Minister said.

Responding, the contractor, Messrs CCECC Nigeria Limited, explained that prolonged traffic congestion caused by articulated vehicles had significantly affected its operations between June and August.

The contractor said the road was heavily blocked during the period, making it difficult to move equipment and materials and carry out construction activities effectively.

It, however, stated that following the clearance of the traffic from the previous day, the company immediately deployed its machines, equipment, labourers and technical personnel to the site to accelerate the work.

The contractor assured the Minister that it had the capacity, manpower, equipment and machinery required to execute the project and committed to accelerating construction.

It further indicated that it was expected to complete approximately nine to ten kilometres of the road by March next year.

The Minister, however, maintained that completing nine or ten kilometres by March would not represent sufficient progress considering the overall length of the 71.9-kilometre project.

“You have told us that the gridlock caused by articulated vehicles between June and August affected your operations. But this contract was awarded in February. What were you doing from February to June? That explanation is not acceptable,” Goronyo said.

He directed the contractor to immediately increase its mobilisation and deploy additional machines, equipment, materials and manpower to the project.

“We want this project delivered within record time. We cannot continue to accept excuses. Nigerians are yearning for better roads, and the government expects you to respond by delivering this project within the stipulated timeframe,” he said.

Meanwhile, at the Lambata–Lapai corridor, the Director of Construction and Rehabilitation, Engr. David Yiltong Dechi, explained that the contractor handling the permanent rehabilitation and reconstruction works had indicated its readiness to mobilise to the site.

He, however, noted that extensive earthworks during the rainy season could temporarily worsen some sections of the corridor.

He therefore recommended immediate palliative measures, including the deployment of boulders, stone-base materials, graders and bulldozers at identified critical locations to maintain motorability until weather conditions become more favourable for full-scale permanent works.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Transportation, Prince Adetokunbo Ademola, commended the Federal Ministry of Works and other stakeholders for physically monitoring the corridor and implementing the President’s directive.

He described the road as an inherited project and assured motorists that efforts were underway to provide both immediate palliative relief and long-term reconstruction.

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mallam Shehu Mohammed, sympathised with motorists over the difficult conditions experienced along the route.

He urged truck owners and drivers to avoid overloading, stressing that excessive loading has implications for road safety, vehicles and pavement durability.

He assured road users that the FRSC would continue to provide traffic control and support safe movement along the corridor.

The Director of Civil Engineering Services, Niger State, Engr. Andrew Adamu, appreciated the Federal Government for its intervention on the critical road infrastructure.

He supported the immediate use of palliative measures during the rainy season, including hardcore, boulders, chippings and stone-base materials, followed by full mobilisation for permanent works as the dry season sets in.

Also speaking, the President of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman, expressed optimism over the intervention and appealed to motorists, vehicle owners and drivers to remain patient as the government and contractors work to restore the corridor.

He said the presence of the Minister of State and other key stakeholders on site demonstrated the seriousness attached to resolving the challenges confronting road users.

The Federal Ministry of Works reiterated its commitment to continuous monitoring of the two corridors and ensuring that contractors sustain the pace of work until the identified critical sections are made safely and effectively motorable.

The Ministry further appealed to motorists to exercise patience, cooperate with traffic-management agencies and comply with applicable vehicle loading limits while remedial and reconstruction works continue.