Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has urged the Federal Government to terminate the contract for the Suleja-Minna road project, citing Salini Nigeria Limited’s alleged lack of capacity to complete the work.
Speaking at a Town Hall Meeting in Minna about the construction of the 125-kilometer, three-lane segment of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Bago expressed frustration over Salini’s inability to deliver on the project for over 14 years.
“Salini has failed; they lack the capacity. We are calling on the Minister to revoke this contract, similar to the recent revocation of the Abuja-Kano road from Julius Berger,” he stated firmly.
Bago also requested reimbursement from the Federal Government for funds the Niger State Government has spent on federal road repairs within the state, explaining that these efforts were made out of shared aspirations with the federal authorities.
Earlier, Minister of Works Senator Engr. Nweze David Umahi lamented the poor condition of federal roads in Niger State, pointing out that many projects initiated as far back as 2010 remain incomplete. He criticized Salini Nigeria Limited for taking funds without delivering significant progress, noting that despite claims of 86% completion on the Minna-Suleja road, recent inspections revealed minimal work done.
Umahi emphasized the importance of the stakeholder meeting, focused on constructing the three-lane, single-carriageway Niger segment of the 1,068-kilometer Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, a federal project spanning multiple states.