The Federal Government has declared a state of emergency on the Suleja-Minna Road, citing its deplorable state and years of failure by the original contractor, Salini Nigeria Limited.
This was disclosed on Saturday during an inspection tour led by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who described the highway—an essential link between Niger State and the Federal Capital Territory as “in a very terrible condition.”
“What should be a one-and-a-half-hour journey now takes over seven hours,” Mr. Umahi said while inspecting the failed sections.
The road project, initially awarded to Salini Nigeria Limited, has faced prolonged delays, abandoned sections, and substandard construction. Mr. Umahi revealed that despite repeated demands over the past 18 months, Salini failed to resume work.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago had previously sounded the alarm over the road’s condition, leading to direct intervention from President Bola Tinubu.
“The President gave a clear directive: urgent action must be taken. We are treating this as an emergency,” Mr. Umahi declared.
The Minister announced that Sections One and Two of the Suleja-Minna Road have now been designated as emergency projects, with fast-tracked procurement and strict deadlines.
“If a contractor waits a single day after award for mobilization, I will cancel the contract,” Umahi warned.
He confirmed that the federal government has terminated its contract with Salini, citing poor performance and financial liabilities.
“Salini is still owing the federal government. I have directed that we reclaim sections of the project equal to what they owe. If they don’t comply, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will step in to recover public funds,” Umahi said.
He also condemned ongoing lobbying to keep Salini on the project, describing it as “wickedness against the Nigerian people.”
“Contractors are engaged and paid, yet we don’t get value for money. That era is over,” he said.
Two new contractors have now been mobilized to complete the project. As part of Niger State’s urban renewal initiative, Governor Bago had previously awarded a portion to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), which has completed 60 kilometers.
The federal government will oversee the completion of the remaining 146 kilometers, with CCECC also taking on an additional seven-kilometer critical stretch.
“They have been given 10 days to mobilize to site and begin work. There is no going back. This is a fight for Nigerians, and we have no regrets,” Umahi said.
The Suleja-Minna Road, spanning 103 kilometers one way and 206 kilometers when dualized, remains a critical artery for trade and travel in Northern Nigeria. The emergency declaration underscores the Tinubu administration’s renewed commitment to enforce contractor accountability and revive the nation’s aging infrastructure.
9am News report confirms that the Ministry of Works is under strict orders to monitor and ensure timely delivery.
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