Senator David Umahi, the minister of works, has announced that Levant Construction Ltd.’s contract on the Benin-Sapele-Warri Road project has been terminated due to what he has called “non-performance and failure to remobilize to site despite repeated warnings.”
According to Umahi, at a meeting held on June 17th, 2025, Levant failed to fulfill the requirements for Section I of the road (Benin–Imasabor), which was a project funded by the Ministry of Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
There are three sections, they say. Unfortunately, Levant has not lived up to its reputation. Even the governor of Edo State was required to intervene and demand intervention. One part was requested by Levant, but they left the site.
They continued to ignore the warnings and final termination notice that were issued after several warnings. We now have instructed the Permanent Secretary to finalize the termination and begin a joint evaluation with them, he said.
He also issued a warning that the issue would be escalated to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) if Levant’s bank failed to notify Levant of the start of the Advance Payment Guarantee (APG) repayment process and that any non-compliance would result in an escalating issue.
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The Minister applauded SKECC Nigeria Ltd and Geld Construction Ltd’s efforts, which have both agreed to resume work on their respective sections of the road, despite the setback.
He also praised the project’s support and participation by the governors of the Edo and Delta States.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his team made a commitment to concrete reinforcement of 10 kilometers after the beautiful flyovers. Edo State governor Monday Okpebholo is also making significant efforts. “We’re appreciative,” said Umahi.
The Minister noted that SKECC’s NNPC budget allocation had been exhausted while urging the company to finish its milled section while making a comment about challenges with project funding. Additionally, Grid Construction has agreed to return to the site, including the 34-kilometer Itoki-Ikorodu road and the Lokoja–Abuja road, with the promise of revised rates.
No marginalization
Umahi responded to recent accusations of marginalization of the North in road development as “absolutely unfounded, malicious, and uncharitable.”
We don’t care where people come from or where projects are located in this ministry. Mr. President has continued all inherited projects, regardless of location, as evidenced by his leadership.
According to Umahi, according to the figures, the Niger State alone accounts for 26% of NNPC Tax Credit projects, compared to 4% of NNPC Tax Credit projects in the South-West and 4% in the South-East.
Under the Renewed Hope administration, significant attention has been given to the projects in the North, such as the 525 billion Abuja-Kano highway and the 825 billion Sokoto-Zamfara-Katsina-Kaduna road.
He added, “The North has 52% and the South has 48% when you look at the President’s four legacy projects. Thus, the claim that one region is being favored over another is completely false.
Umahi explained that progress had been made, including the completion of one carriageway, four flyover construction, and the ongoing Aleto Bridge, despite the much-criticism surrounding the Eleme-Onne axis of the East-West Road.
Source: Channels TV
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