FG gives China Harbour 7 days to fix dust hazards, failing road sections and mobilise fully on key highway projects or face sanctions

The Federal Government has issued strict warnings and fresh deadlines to China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and its sister firm, China Harbour Operation and Maintenance Company (CHOMC), over alleged substandard work, slow mobilisation, and environmental hazards on major federal road projects.

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The directives followed a high-level meeting chaired by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, with ministry officials and representatives of the companies at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.

CHEC and CHOMC are concessionaires on the Mararraba–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Dual Carriageway and are also handling the Makurdi–9th Mile–Enugu Road and the 7th Axial Road in Lagos.

In a statement issued Friday by the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, Umahi said the meeting was convened to address mounting public complaints, protect government investments, and enforce contractor accountability.

Dust Hazard on Makurdi–Enugu Corridor

Umahi revealed that residents along the Makurdi–9th Mile–Enugu corridor had submitted a formal petition over excessive dust generated by construction activities, which he described as a serious environmental and public health risk.

He directed the Permanent Secretary to issue an immediate warning letter mandating soil stabilisation and other approved dust-control measures.

The contractor was given seven days to comply or face project suspension.

“Failure to resolve the issue within seven days will result in the suspension of the project,” the statement said.

Failing Sections on Mararraba–Makurdi Road

The minister also raised concerns over deteriorating portions of the Mararraba–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Road completed under the previous administration.

He ordered that the first five kilometres be milled and reconstructed with concrete pavement, re-asphalted, and properly re-marked within seven days.

Other failed sections, including damaged bridge expansion joints, blocked drainages, manhole covers, washouts, and poor vegetation control, must also be fixed.

All road furniture, signage, and safety installations are to be reinstated after repairs.

Slow Mobilisation on 7th Axial Road, Lagos

Umahi expressed frustration over what he described as grossly inadequate mobilisation on the 7th Axial Road project in Lagos, despite substantial mobilisation funds already paid to CHEC.

He warned that if full mobilisation is not achieved within the agreed timeframe, the government would recover the funds and apply contractual sanctions.

“This administration will no longer tolerate poor execution, delays, or disregard for contractual standards,” Umahi said.

Contractor’s Response

Responding on behalf of the firms, CHOMC’s Acting Executive Director (Operations), Stephen Lee, pledged to deploy industry-standard dust-control measures and assured the Ministry of full mobilisation on the Lagos project and rehabilitation of failed sections on the Mararraba–Lafia corridor.

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Umahi, however, stressed that contractors must meet agreed standards or face consequences, reaffirming the government’s commitment to delivering safe and durable road infrastructure.