The Federal Government has issued a seven-day ultimatum to China Harbour Engineering Company and its affiliate, China Harbour Operation and Maintenance Company, over alleged substandard work, slow mobilisation and environmental hazards on major federal highways.

The warning followed a high-level meeting in Abuja, where the Minister of Works, David Umahi, confronted representatives of the firms on what he described as unacceptable performance on several strategic projects.

The companies are responsible for the concessioned Mararraba–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Dual Carriageway, as well as the Makurdi–9th Mile–Enugu Road and the 7th Axial Road in Lagos, all considered critical to national connectivity and economic activity.

Umahi said the ministry had received a formal petition from communities along the Makurdi–9th Mile–Enugu corridor, complaining of thick dust from construction activities that was endangering public health and degrading the environment.

He directed the Permanent Secretary to immediately issue a warning letter compelling the contractor to deploy soil stabilisation and other approved dust-control measures, stressing that failure to comply within seven days would lead to suspension of the project.

The minister also raised alarm over early failures on sections of the Mararraba–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi road completed under the previous administration. He ordered that the first five kilometres be milled and reconstructed with concrete pavement, then properly re-asphalted and re-marked, with work to commence within a week.

Beyond that stretch, Umahi instructed the rehabilitation of all failed portions along the corridor, including areas around Nasarawa State University, defective bridge expansion joints, damaged manhole covers, blocked drainages, washouts and poorly maintained vegetation. All road furniture, signage and safety installations are to be reinstated after repairs.

On the 7th Axial Road in Lagos, Umahi expressed displeasure that, despite substantial mobilisation payments, the contractor had deployed little equipment and carried out only minimal site clearance. He warned that if full mobilisation was not achieved within the agreed timeframe, the government would recover funds and apply firm contractual sanctions.

He emphasised that the current administration would no longer tolerate poor execution, delays or disregard for standards, adding that warning letters, withholding of certificates and broader penalties would be used to enforce compliance.

Responding, Acting Executive Director (Operations) of CHOMC, Stephen Lee, pledged to implement industry-standard anti-dust measures, fully mobilise on the Lagos project and address failed sections on the Mararraba–Lafia corridor.