The Federal Government has terminated the contract awarded to Levant Construction Ltd for the reconstruction of Section 1 (Benin–Imasabor) of the Benin-Sapele-Warri Road, citing persistent non-performance.
Minister of Works, Senator Nweze David Umahi, who made the announcement after a high-level meeting with the Chief Executives of GELD Construction Ltd and SKECC Nigeria Ltd in Abuja, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the contractor’s conduct.
He stated that Levant failed to remobilise to site despite being served a termination warning that gave a 14-day ultimatum.
“We divided the worst parts of the road into two. Levant was asked to handle one, while the Edo State Government, which we had to beg to step in, is currently handling the other 23km at ₦35bn.
“That section is going well. Levant, on the other hand, simply left the site. This cannot be condoned,” the Minister said.
Umahi directed the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Olufunso Adebiyi, to begin formal termination proceedings, including contacting Levant’s bank for a refund of the Advance Payment Guarantee (APG), or risk involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
In contrast, the Minister expressed satisfaction with GELD Construction and SKECC Nigeria Ltd, noting the Ministry’s agreement to review project costs in light of inflation and rising asphalt prices had led to renewed commitments.
“They’re going back on trust. Asphalt was ₦9,000 per square meter, now it’s ₦30,000. We must support genuine contractors,” Umahi said.
He also applauded Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, for taking on the construction of three flyovers and committing to deliver an additional 10km of reinforced concrete roads.
Likewise, he commended Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for his government’s direct intervention in road rehabilitation efforts.
Responding to recent accusations of regional bias in project allocations, Umahi dismissed such claims as unfounded and divisive.
“Let’s stop this South versus North narrative. Roads don’t have ethnic identities. Northerners use Southern roads and vice versa,” Umahi stated.
He went on to list several major road projects currently ongoing in the North: Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road: ₦777bn, 30% paid, concrete design; Sokoto-Zamfara-Katsina-Kaduna Superhighway: 750km, ₦825bn; Zaria-Nkru Road: 152km; BUA Tax Credit Projects: 256km in Jigawa, Kano, Katsina; Kano-Maiduguri Highway: Multiple sections ongoing, concrete standard; Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe Superhighway: 439km, concrete upgrade under Presidential directive; Makurdi-9th Mile-Enugu Road: 260km, $1bn.”
He noted that while the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has attracted substantial funding, the ₦2trn Kebbi dual carriageway and ₦454bn Sokoto Road are also top-tier concrete projects receiving equal attention.
Addressing concerns over the slow progress of work on the Eleme-Onne stretch of the East-West Road, Umahi provided assurance that the ₦156bn Tax Credit project, which includes flyovers and the Aleto Bridge, is moving forward after initial contractor-related setbacks.
“We’ve completed one carriageway, and flyovers are ongoing. Yes, we are asphalting over sections with flyovers for traffic ease, but that doesn’t mean the project isn’t moving. It is,” he clarified.