Minister of Works Terminates Contract with Levant Construction Ltd due to Non-Performance

Strategic Insights -

The contract between the Federal Government of Nigeria and Levant Construction Ltd for the reconstruction of the Benin-Sapele-Warri Road (Section 1: Benin-Imasabor) has been terminated by the Minister of Works, Sen. Eng. Nweze David Umahi. The decision was made after a meeting with the chief executives of GELD Construction Ltd and SKECC Nigeria Ltd on 17 June 2025, citing non-performance and failure to meet contractual expectations. The road project is being executed under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.

Key Takeaways:

  • The termination of the contract with Levant Construction Ltd is due to non-performance, which has resulted in delays in the execution of the Benin-Sapele-Warri Road project.
  • The Minister of Works, Sen. Eng. Nweze David Umahi, expressed disapproval over Levant's failure to live up to expectations in their contractual duties.
  • The Minister had to intervene and beg the Governor of Edo State to prioritize the worst sections of the road, as Levant was not meeting the expected standards.
  • The road project has been divided into sections, with Levant assigned to work on one part, while other contractors handle the remaining sections.
  • The Federal Ministry of Works has taken a hard stance on non-performance, terminating the contract with Levant and maintaining high expectations from other contractors.
  • The Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme is still in operation, and other contractors under the scheme are expected to meet the expected standards.

Statistics:

  • The contract with Levant Construction Ltd was terminated due to non-performance.
  • The Benin-Sapele-Warri Road project has been divided into three sections, with Levant assigned to one part.
  • The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed its commitment to maintaining high standards in public infrastructure projects.
  • The Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme has been ongoing since its inception.
  • The Minister of Works, Sen. Eng. Nweze David Umahi, has taken decisive action against non-performance, as seen in the termination of the contract with Levant Construction Ltd.

Sources:

  • A statement by the special adviser to the minister, Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji.
  • The Federal Ministry of Works website (no specific date or publication cited, as it is not mentioned in the source).
  • The Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme documentation (no specific date or publication cited, as it is not mentioned in the source).