The Federal Government has taken decisive disciplinary action against a senior official in the Ministry of Works for allegedly approving fraudulent payment certificates for work that was either incomplete or never carried out on the Maraba–Keffi expressway project.
Engr. Yakubu Usman, the Controller of Works assigned to the project, was immediately removed from his position and redeployed following a strongly worded inspection visit by the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, on Friday, January 9, 2026.
During the on-site assessment, the visibly frustrated minister accused both the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), and supervising ministry officials of persistent negligence, misconduct, and collusion that have caused significant delays on the 43-kilometre road corridor.
“The problem is my staff, and today I will set an example,” Umahi declared before ordering the immediate removal of Engr. Usman as Controller of Works.
The minister described 2026 as an “action year” for the Federal Ministry of Works, emphasizing zero tolerance for indiscipline, negligence, or fraudulent practices.
He issued a fresh and firm ultimatum to China Harbour Engineering Company: complete the entire Maraba–Keffi road project and hand it over by February 28, 2026.
The contractor has been directed to submit a comprehensive work programme together with a written commitment to meet this deadline by next Wednesday.
Among other directives issued during the inspection:All substandard hand-moulded median caps must be removed immediately and replaced with proper concrete medians.
Solar-powered streetlights are to be installed along the full length of the corridor.
Umahi also inspected key sections of the project, including the Keffi flyover, to personally evaluate the level of progress.
The minister reiterated that supervising engineers now have full authority and responsibility to reject payment certificates for non-compliant work and to promptly escalate any contractor failures.
He warned that all sanctions imposed would remain in effect unless personally reversed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Nobody will be spared. Discipline is our watchword. When action is taken, no amount of pleading will reverse it. I report directly to Mr. President,” Umahi stated.
The removal of Engr. Yakubu Usman and the strict new directives signal a renewed push by the Federal Government to ensure timely completion and quality delivery of critical road infrastructure projects across the country.
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