The Federal Government has cautioned contractors that it will no longer accept non-compliance with regulations, promising to involve the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in dealing with defiant contractors.

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, announced this during an inspection of the ongoing dualisation of the East-West Road (Section IIIA) from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction in Rivers State, overseen by Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) Nigeria Limited.

While speaking to newsmen, Umahi said: “Comptroller has certificates to issue out, giving them negative certificates and I will get the money back from any of the other projects.

“Those letters are all there, and so when trouble comes, we will bring out those letters and any contractors that is not willing to abide by the regulations, they will have the EFCC and ICPC to contend with. It is very important.”

Umahi noted that the Federal Government has directed that road construction projects valued below ₦20b will no longer be awarded to expatriate companies, in line with its “Nigeria First” policy aimed at promoting indigenous capacity in the construction sector.

The minister stated that the new policy aims to ensure that local firms gain more from federal road contracts, while expatriate companies concentrate on high-value projects that demand greater technical expertise.

“This is part of the Nigeria First policy of the Federal Government. Henceforth, no expatriate firm will be awarded any project valued below ₦20b. Such projects must go to indigenous companies,” the minister declared.

He commended RCC for maintaining quality standards on the Eleme-Onne project but frowned at the slow pace of work, which the contractor attributed to the rainy season.

Umahi stressed that the December 15, 2025, deadline for completion remained sacrosanct, warning that there would be no extension or variation of price.

The minister also revealed that the Federal Ministry of Works has implemented a funding prioritisation framework to maintain road projects initially financed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.

He explained that President Bola Tinubu had directed that none of such projects should be abandoned, adding that priority would be given to critical economic corridors.

Umahi further cautioned contractors against poor construction practices, particularly leaving binder courses unprotected without wearing courses, which he said had caused premature road failures across the country.

He directed federal controllers to enforce strict compliance nationwide.

The minister also decried the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty vehicles on highways, describing the practice as destructive to pavements.

He said letters would be written to state governors and the Inspector-General of Police to enforce punitive measures against offenders.

Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Engr. (Mrs.) Enwereama Tarilade, briefed the minister that RCC had completed 15km of the right carriageway and had commenced work on the left carriageway, with a one-kilometre stretch already laid in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP).

Projects inspected by the minister included sections of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) and Arab Contractors, as well as the Eleme–Onne section managed by RCC.