• Sets Clear Expectations for Contractors, Urges Swift Action to Meet Infrastructure deadline.

While expressing satisfaction with the quality of work on the East-West Road, Section III (Eleme Junction – Onne Junction), the Minister of Works, Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, has instructed the contractor, Messrs Reynolds Construction Company (RCC), to increase the pace of work or risk re-scoping and contract re-award.

While assessing the project’s progress, the Minister issued the warning yesterday, Wednesday, January 8, 2025. A portion of the carriageway must be delivered by the end of April 2025, he reminded the contractor.

On Tuesday, January 7, 2024, Engr. Umahi started inspecting ongoing road projects in the South East and South South geopolitical zones, starting with the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Section III (Umuahia – Aba). In order to expedite construction and, more crucially, meet the deadline, he commended the contractor, Messrs Arab Contractors (Nig.) Ltd., for the high caliber of their work but gave them instructions to deploy in two additional sites.

On Section IV (Aba-Port Harcourt) of the same alignment, which is managed by Messrs. China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), the Minister was also present. He bemoaned the slow pace of work, pointing out that last year they were only able to access N7, 000,000,000:00K (seven billion naira) of the N21,000,000,000:00K (twenty-one billion naira) allocated for the effort. The Minister expressed his dissatisfaction with the quality of work completed while on duty in Bodo-Bonny Road.

The Minister expressed his dissatisfaction with the quality of work completed while on duty in Bodo-Bonny Road. He encouraged the contractor, Messrs. Julius Berger (Nig.) Plc (JBN), to increase the number of workers, supplies, and equipment they used, even though they worked during the Yuletide holidays. The project, a crucial part of the infrastructure development in the South-South zone, consists of a two-lane road on Bonny Island with reinforced concrete pavement, hard shoulders, and 17 bridges totaling 3,200 meters.

At all construction sites visited, Engr. Umahi stressed the urgency to meet deadlines, emphasising that all Federal contractors must intensify their efforts to ensure the timely realisation of projects, in line with the Federal Government’s resolve to enhance infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth, succinctly captured in the Renewed Hope Agenda. The essence is to improve connectivity, as well as stimulate socio-economic growth, he further explained.

The Minister issued clear directives to Federal Controllers of Works to present at least four (4) completed projects, each, for commissioning from February to 20th May, this year. “The expectation is that every Controller delivers on his mandates, according to specifications and time allotted. There is no room for further delays,” he declared.

In light of the delay in the delivery of some projects, the Minister cautioned that the Ministry is poised to take decisive action. “The Ministry will not tolerate delays. Any contractor, who does not meet his contractual obligations, will face consequences, cumulating into a 14-day Notice of Termination of Contract,” he added, emphasising that such actions would apply to all underperforming contracts.

Despite the challenges, he reassured Nigerians that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR remains fully committed to the completion of inherited projects., as well as the four (4) Legacy Projects he initiated. “The President has not abandoned these projects. It is the contractors, who have delayed the work. This year, we will be stricter in ensuring that projects are completed on course,” he assured.

Engr. Umahi guaranteed that the Ministry will continue to closely monitor all ongoing projects, ensuring that they align with President Tinubu’s vision for accelerated national growth and development. He concluded by calling for greater teamwork from all stakeholders
in the management and delivery of road and bridge projects. “We all need to work together – government, contractors and the general public towards ensuring that deadlines are met. No contractor should collect government funds and fail to deliver on their promises. Henceforth, we will be more observant and take necessary actions towards ensuring the successful completion of these projects,” he
reasserted.