The Federal Government has issued a final warning to contractors handling the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Lokoja highway, directing them to return to site within 72 hours or face possible legal action.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, gave the ultimatum on Tuesday during an inspection of the project alongside members of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Works.

Umahi said contractors who had received government funds but failed to meet their contractual obligations would no longer be tolerated, warning that the government was prepared to involve law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies if necessary.

“If you are holding the money of the Federal Government, you have to bring it out and do the job, or we start going to the police and the EFCC,” the minister warned.

According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has already approved funds for the project, leaving no justification for continued delays.

“I’m giving you 72 hours to effectively deploy on this road and utilise the money. The President has graciously approved the funds, and everyone involved must fulfil their obligations,” Umahi stated.

The minister also cautioned officials of the Federal Ministry of Works, stressing that engineers and project supervisors who fail to properly monitor ongoing works would be held accountable.

He said negligence, weak supervision, and poor-quality project execution would not be allowed to derail the administration’s infrastructure development agenda.

Despite his criticism of non-performing contractors, Umahi commended those making visible progress on their sections of the project and assured them that outstanding payments from previous agreements would be settled once the approved funds are fully released.

Expressing concern over the state of the Abuja-bound carriageway, the minister disclosed that more than 90 per cent of the lane has deteriorated and could become impassable within months if urgent intervention is not carried out.

He further directed contractors not to remove existing asphalt from any section of the highway without obtaining prior approval from the Ministry of Works.

The Abuja-Lokoja highway remains one of the country’s busiest transport corridors, linking the Federal Capital Territory with several states in both Northern and Southern Nigeria. Government officials say the speedy completion of rehabilitation works is essential to improving road safety, transportation efficiency, and economic activities along the route.