By Emmanuella Oghenetega
The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has ordered the immediate removal of a Controller of the Work’s Ministry, Engr. Yakubu Usman, for not adhering to instructions, and approving certificates to contractors for palliative works that were not carried out, which according to the Minister, led to undue financial disbursements. He therefore redeployed the Director, Highways, Special Projects, Engr. Olufemi Adetunji to the Mararraba – Keffi project.
Speaking during an inspection tour on the ongoing expansion of the 43-kilometre Mararaba–Keffi corridor of the Abuja-Keffi Expressway on Friday, the Minister gave directives, that the controller handling the project, hands over the road on or before February 28, 2026.
He said, “I am giving you to end of February to hand over this job. So you have to see me in the office on Wednesday to give me your timetable and a commitment to hand over the job at the end of February. We directed you to remove the caps which were hand molded and I’ve been here more than eight times and I directed you that.
“Now the problem is my staff and I’m going to set an example today with what 2026 will be between all of us in doing this job. The staff of the Minister of Work’s on site, they have all the powers because if a minister or minister’s representative comes to site and gives a directive and so if the contractor is not doing the directive, it is the duty of the staff to do two things. One, refuse certificate for the contractor.
“You refuse to do certificate for the contractor. The number two, you will escalate that disobedience to Permanent Secretary, to the minister, to the head of department.
The Minister who expressed annoyance, stated the controller had not done what was required of him. He therefore directed, that the Permanent Secretary removes the controller, “effective from today, and push him to my office to go and learn how to obey instructions and the Perm Secretary will push another controller immediately who will take over from you and who will learn to obey instructions.” He said
“It is the same controller that issued certificates to a contractor on palliative work for work not done. He issued certificates and we paid, not to China Harbour but to a contractor on this same road and the commuters were passing through here. And yet, a controller issued fraudulent certificates for work not done and monies were paid. It took me to come to site and force the contractor to do the jobs that he was paid for.
“And so, this will be an example for 2026. It is either we do the job or we face the consequences for it. And so, the controller did not have the right to have issued certificates including those caps that are directly should be removed and they should be reconstructed with paper machine.
He therefore gave directives, that China Harbour removes those caps immediately. “That’s number one. Number two, to immediately begin the concreting of the median.
“You have to fill it, compact it and concrete it with 10cm reinforcements. You have to camber it a little. Number three, you need to put solar light throughout the 43km.
“And the median, we have two lights, one left, one, you know, that is one pole with two 9m pole, galvanized. And then the shoulder, outer shoulder, we have 8m of, you know, solar light, all at 30m. And it will also be two, you know, throwing here and here because we have presidential buildings and commercial buildings on the left.
“And so, that has to commence immediately. Whether it is in your bill or not, we have contingency, we use those funds to achieve this. If you have any problem not doing this from Monday, I need to know.
Harping on compliance and complete obedience by contractors, Umahi said, “please, and please, and please obey us. We gave you the jobs. You are doing a beautiful job, but disobeying us will not be good for us 2026. Reading the riot act to staff of the ministry on site, he said, “we will match our words with action.”
“I have the pleasure to let you know that the president has approved your certificates and an NNPC job. And by next week, you’ll be paid. But you will be paid if you have, you know, initiated these works.
“The new controller will report to me on a daily basis. So you’ll be paid. And I want to also announce to you that the president graciously approved the continuation and completion of all NNPC projects.
“So don’t be afraid to complete your job. Unfortunately, we owe you, but you still have a right paycheck. But definitely, by next week, you’ll receive your certificate paid, provided you have started to do this.
“Please, escalate action on concreting of the remaining shoulders and to complete the remaining three kilometers of your work. I beg you. I have a friend there who obeys me.
“And I’m happy for him. Let’s make a smooth relationship. Tomorrow, I’m in Lagos to see the 7th Axial Road.
“I want to believe that you have started sand feeling. But let me commend you. First, I commend Mr. President.
“The quality of the road we are seeing here is what Nigerians desire. And that is what Nigerians, we get from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. And I work in the office only two days every week. The rest of the five days, I will be on the field to ensure that the efforts of Mr. President are translated to reality and for the joy of Nigerians.”
