₦airaland Forum

The Minister of Works, Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, while expressing satisfaction with the quality of work on the East-West Road, Section III (Eleme Junction – Onne Junction), has directed the Contractor, Messrs Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) to deploy more resources to hasten the pace of work or face re-scoping and re-award of the contract.

The Minister gave the warning yesterday, Wednesday, 8th January, 2025, while inspecting the progress of work on the project. He reminded the contractor that he has up to the end of April, 2025 to deliver a section of the carriageway.

Engr. Umahi, began the inspection of ongoing road projects in the South East and South South geopolitical zones on Tuesday, 7th January, 2024 with the Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway, Section III (Umuahia – Aba). He applauded the contractor, Messrs Arab Contractors (Nig.) Ltd. on the quality of work but instructed them to deploy in two more sites to speed up the construction and, most importantly, meet the set dateline.


The Minister was also on Section IV (Aba – Port Harcourt) of the same alignment being handled by Messrs China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC). He expressed displeasure over the slow pace of work, noting that they have only been able to access N7, 000,000,000:00K (Seven Billion Naira) out of the N21,000,000,000:00k (Twenty -One Billion Naira) provided for the project, last year. Consequently, he instructed the Federal Controller of Works (FCW), Rivers State to issue a warning to the contractor, promising to terminate it, if there are no improvements in the tempo of work.

The tour of duty also took the Minister to the Bodo-Bonny Road, where he, again, voiced discontent with the level of work achieved. He prodded the Contractor, Messrs Julius Berger (Nig.) Plc (JBN) to upscale their deployment of men, materials and machines, despite working throughout the Yuletide holidays. The project, a critical component of the South-South zone’s infrastructure development, is a 2-lane road with hard shoulders, 17 bridges spanning 3,200 meters and reinforced concrete pavement on Bonny Island.

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.

MadamVanessa:



Batidiots with massaging the ego of their failed dullard self declared first class illiterate accountant.

MadamVanessa:



Batidiots with massaging the ego of their failed dullard self declared first class illiterate accountant.

PressMyButton:
nlfpmod Mynd44

PressMyButton:
https://thenationonlineng.net/fed-govt-threatens-to-terminate-road-contracts-in-southeast-southsouth/

Hemanwel:
@PressMyButton, what's the cost of this project?

Inasmuch as I applaud the FG for initiating this massive project, there should be transparency. How many companies bid for the project? Why was HITECH selected? At what cost?

These are the controversies that becloud the project which the government hasn't provided answers to. There's no accountability.

Maybe oga T-pain is using the project as a conduit to amass money for 2027 elections.

BTW:

I won't get tired, nor weary of reminding you all that President Tinubu has less than 868 days to handover power to the next person.

magoo10:
How far with the Lagos Calabar Wetin Wetin road.

zero8zero:
https://www.nairaland.com/8313999/lagos-calabar-coastal-highway-construction-reaches

magoo10:
good how many kilometer from where they started to where they are now.secondly how much of the budgeted funds have been spent so far.let us have relevant informations.

forgiveness:
That Enugu Portharcourt road has been done several times. It has become avenue to siphon money.

zero8zero:
Go & ask your father. You asked for an information, I obliged you. Then you asking me further foolish questions.

PressMyButton:
That's the spirit of Jagaban. Gone are the days when PDP kept re-awarding road projects every budget year. God bless Engr David Umahi.



After God, na Tinubu 💪 God bless Nigeria