— Mobilise to Site for 2 Weeks Before Payment of Mobilisation Fees – Umahi*

Only contractors who can deliver are required to work on Nigerian roads, according to the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Engr. (Sen.) David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE. This is to ensure that unwilling contractors do not give up on road projects. He made this statement during an inspection of ongoing construction on Section I (Abuja-Kaduna) of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway, which begins at the Zuba Interchange (CH0+000) and ends at the Western Bypass (CH165+500) in Kaduna, the capital of Kaduna State. The Abuja-Lokoja Expressway runs an additional four (4) kilometers from Zuba towards Gwagwalada. There will be two sections of rigid pavement (concrete) for forty (40) kilometers.

The Minister claims that, based on their progress within a month of signing the contract, Messrs. Infiouest International (Nig.) Limited has demonstrated its ability to deliver high-quality work on schedule. “Unlike what has been the previous practice, this is without being paid the initial 30% mobilization fee,” he emphasized. In order to ensure sustainable project development and delivery, he emphasized that the Ministry’s decision requiring all contractors to be on site and working for at least two weeks prior to the mobilization fee being paid is the best course of action. A standard stone base must contain at least 70% stone, hence the name, and 30% dust. The Minister praised the quality of the work and urged resident engineers and engineer’s representatives working on other projects nationwide to be watchful in ensuring that the right composition of the stone base is achieved. He noted that “any departure from this ratio will jeopardize the road’s structural integrity and result in premature failure.”

Engr. Umahi also reaffirmed how much the President values the Abuja-Kano Dual Carriageway, which serves as a crucial route connecting the country’s north to its south and to the neighboring nations of the Republics of Cameroun, Niger, and Benin. He suggested that reinforced concrete overlay be finished on the underlying structures prior to the start of the rainy season, even though he assured that the remaining section of the entire alignment, Section III (Zaria-Kano), which is at the Kano end of the project, will soon be approved and awarded. As you may remember, this was the project that Messrs. Julius Berger (Nig.) PLC (JBN) needlessly postponed for years before the Ministry bravely ended it a few months ago, Umahi clarified.

“The economic value of this project makes it Mr. President’s lifeblood. We will start laying an eight-inch continuous reinforced concrete pavement by the first week of March, and we are dedicated to making sure it is finished on time,” the Minister said. In order to ensure that all projects under the Ministry’s supervision meet the highest standards and are finished on time, he reaffirmed that “the Federal Government remains resolute in its commitment to quality infrastructure development.” He went on to say that companies that are interested in building roads must follow international standards and best practices or leave the area.

Mr. Joseph Abougaoude, the construction company’s managing director and chief executive officer, revealed that the company accepted the challenge of beginning the project without paying mobilization fees because it is capable and, more importantly, because it believes in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Administration, GCFR. He committed to completing the contract on schedule and in accordance with standards. He continued by praising the Minister’s proactive leadership, saying, “I swear I will not disappoint you. I embrace my part in making sure this project succeeds and view it as a challenge. I will work tirelessly to fulfill expectations because I am totally dedicated to this project.”

In response to inquiries from reporters regarding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Julius Berger’s status regarding his contract with the Ministry, the Minister affirmed that the first section of the Highway will be finished by the end of the year and that JBN is not excluded from the Ministry’s contracts; rather, they continue to work for the Ministry on other road infrastructure projects, such as the Bodo-Bonny Road and some significant bridges in Lagos and other locations in Nigeria. He gave the new company leadership high marks for adhering to Ministry policies and upholding professional engineering standards.