The Nigerian Government has issued warnings to non-performing contractors responsible for Federal Road projects to meet their contractual obligations.
The Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi who issued this warning while inspecting ongoing road and bridge projects in Kogi and Edo States urged the contractors to remove factors that lead to unwarranted criticism of the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The Minister expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work on some sections of the Abuja-Lokoja Dual Carriageway and the Dualisation of Obajana Junction -Benin Road.
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“I am very sad with what I saw on the ground. What was reported to us is not reflected in the actual work being done,” he said.
The Works Minister further reiterated previous directive that no section of the Federal highway should remain closed for more than 14 days during construction.
He then gave an ultimatum to the affected contractor to complete the required section within the stipulated period or risk termination of the contract.
Mr Umahi acknowledged some funding constraints, which according to him led to the reduction in scope of one of the Sections of the Abuja-Lokoja from 49.28 kilometres to 28 kilometres to concentrate available resources on the most critical portions.
Ultimatum
He also issued a 72-hour ultimatum to GELD Construction Company, handling one of the sections, to effectively utilise funds already released to demonstrate visible progress on the project.
The Minister, however, commended Messrs JRB Construction Company for the quality and pace of work on its project, describing the company as a model of professionalism and commitment.
“If everybody does his job accordingly, there will be no reason to shift the blame to Mr. President” he said.
The Works Minister also charged the Federal Controllers of Works, Engineers’ Representatives, and project supervisors to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and enforce greater accountability, insisting that all procurement processes and expenditures must be properly justified.
As part of the inspection tour, the Minister visited the reconstruction of the existing pavement and completion of the additional carriageway on Section III of the Abuja–Lokoja Dual Carriageway, including works being executed by Trucrete Solutions Limited on the Koton Karfe–Abuja alignment.
He also inspected two critical bridge projects along the same corridor, as well as the ongoing dualisation of the Lokoja–Benin Road.
The projects inspected include Section I, Obajana Junction–Okene, and Section II covering the Okene–Auchi corridor across Kogi and Edo States.
The Minister further assessed progress on the flyover and interchange components of the project being executed by CCG Contractors, with the flyovers at approximately 80 percent completion and the interchange at about 30 percent.
Members of the National Assembly present at the inspection included, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Allwell Onyesoh and the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Hon. Akin Alabi.
The lawmakers noted that delivery of quality roads was a collective responsibility of everyone. They therefore called for support of all citizens and stakeholders, timely disbursement of funds and the commitment of contractors.
The Managing Director of GELD Construction Company, Mr. Fadi Azimi, assured the delegation that the company would intensify work and ensure improved project delivery, in line with the Ministry’s expectations.
