FG Intensifies Work on Bida-Lapai-Lambata, Maje-Dikko Roads, Orders Contractors to Speed Up
The Federal Government has intensified intervention on the Bida-Lapai-Lambata and Maje-Dikko road corridors in Niger State, directing contractors to accelerate palliative and permanent works.
Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Goronyo, gave the directive on Thursday, 24 September, 2026, during an inspection of the two corridors.
Goronyo described the 123.4km Bida-Lapai-Lambata road as a critical economic artery for movement of agricultural produce and goods. He said the project, being executed under the Presidential/NNPC Tax Credit arrangement, was inherited by the present administration and designed with continuously reinforced concrete pavement due to heavy articulated vehicle traffic.
“We deeply sympathise with drivers and other road users. This is a very important economic corridor and we cannot allow it to fail completely. We are going to push the contractor to mobilise early for palliative works while awaiting full reconstruction,” he said.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to completing inherited projects rather than abandoning them.
At the Maje-Dikko section, the Minister expressed satisfaction with improvement after the Ministry’s earlier 48-hour directive for urgent intervention, but ordered the contractor to deploy more equipment and sustain round-the-clock work.
The contractor, Trunkroad Consortium Nigeria Ltd, said it had mobilised additional personnel and equipment, backfilled failed sections with stones and boulders, applied stone-base, and opened drainage channels. The firm said traffic now flows towards Lambata and Dikko.
In a statement by Abdullahi Mohammed, SA Media to the Minister of State for Works, Goronyo expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work on Section II of the Maje-Jazu road handled by CCECC Nigeria Limited.
He disclosed that over N10 billion has been released as mobilisation out of the about N90 billion contract value, but physical progress is still about 1%, against the scheduled 16%.
“The Honourable Minister is not satisfied with what you are doing. Nigerians deserve better roads. Mr. President has already provided support and mobilisation, you have no excuse,” Goronyo said.
The 71.9km project, with a 36-month duration, involves construction of about 11 culverts and 11 bridges. Goronyo noted that almost six months has been wasted.
CCECC blamed traffic gridlock caused by articulated vehicles between June and August for the delay, assuring it has capacity to deliver and promising 9-10km by March next year but the Minister dismissed the excuse, asking what the company did between February when the contract was awarded and June.
“You have told us gridlock between June and August affected your operations. But this contract was awarded in February. What were you doing from February to June? That explanation is not acceptable,” he said
Director of Construction and Rehabilitation, Engr. David Yiltong Dechi, said full earthworks during the rainy season could worsen the road, recommending immediate palliatives with boulders, stone-base, graders and bulldozers.
Other stakeholders on the inspection included Senior Special Assistant to the President on Transportation, Prince Adetokunbo Ademola; Corps Marshal of FRSC, Mallam Shehu Mohammed, who urged truck owners to avoid overloading; Niger State Director of Civil Engineering Services, Engr. Andrew Adamu; and NARTO President, Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to daily monitoring of the corridors and appealed to motorists to exercise patience and comply with loading limits.
