The federal government has sanctioned a senior official of the Ministry of Works, Engr. Yakubu Usman, over alleged negligence and connivance that led to prolonged delays on the Maraba–Keffi road project and the approval of fraudulent payment certificates for uncompleted or unexecuted work.
The sanction was announced on Friday by the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, during an inspection of the 43-kilometre expressway, where he also issued a fresh ultimatum to the project contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company.
Umahi directed the contractor to complete and hand over the road by February 28, 2026, and ordered the submission of a comprehensive work programme and a written commitment to the deadline by Wednesday next week.
The minister expressed dissatisfaction with the pace and quality of work on the project, attributing the delays to failures by both the contractor and supervising officials of the ministry. He accused Engr. Usman, the project’s Controller of Works, of endorsing certificates for work that was either incomplete or not carried out, leading to improper payments.
“The problem is my staff, and today I will set an example,” Umahi said, as he ordered the immediate removal and redeployment of the official.
Umahi reiterated his position that directors and senior officials would be assigned specific projects for direct supervision beginning in 2026, warning that any officer found wanting would face sanctions.
He described 2026 as an “action year” for the ministry, stressing that negligence, indiscipline and misconduct would no longer be tolerated. “Nobody will be spared. Discipline is our watchword. I report directly to Mr President,” he said.
The minister also directed supervising officers to strictly enforce contractual terms, reject certificates for non-compliant work, and promptly escalate any failure by contractors to the appropriate authorities.
