Benin-Sapele-Warri-road: FG terminates Levant contract over non-performance

Agency Report

The Minister of Works, Senator Nweze David Umahi, has terminated the contract awarded to Levant Construction Ltd to reconstruct Section 1 (Benin-Imasabor) of the Benin-Sapele-Warri Road.

The Minister cited persistent non-performance and failure to remobilise to site despite multiple warnings.

Speaking after a high-level meeting with the Chief Executives of GELD Construction Ltd and SKECC Nigeria Ltd in Abuja, Umahi expressed deep dissatisfaction over Levant’s conduct.

He revealed that the contractor had abandoned the site even after a termination warning notice that required them to resume within 14 days.

“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 Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, to initiate formal termination procedures, including notifying the contractor’s bank to refund the Advance Payment Guarantee (APG), or risk EFCC intervention.

However, the Minister expressed satisfaction with GELD and SKECC Nigeria Ltd over discussions to accelerate work on their respective road sections.

This followed GELD Construction’s commitment to return to the site on the Benin-Sapele-Warri Road and the Lokoja-Abuja Road after the Ministry agreed to review project costs in light of inflation and escalating asphalt prices.

“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 commended the Governor of Delta State, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for undertaking the construction of three flyovers and agreeing to deliver an additional 10km of reinforced concrete roads.

“Let’s stop this South versus North narrative. Roads don’t have ethnic identities. Northerners use Southern roads and vice versa,” Umahi stated.

He listed dozens of ongoing northern projects including:

Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road: ₦777bn, 30% paid, concrete design; Sokoto-Zamfara-Katsina-Kaduna Superhighway: 750km, ₦825bn; and Zaria-Nkru Road: 152km.

Others are; 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.