FGN Targets 5,500km Of Roads In 2024, Orders Contractors Back To Site
By ABAH SUNDAY, Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria says it is looking at having over 5,500 kilometres (km) of roads completed across the country in 2024.
“We are looking at 150 kilometres of roads to be completed in each of the states and the Federal.Caputal Territory in 2024. That is over 5,000 kilometres, and that will be a good one to start with,”
Umahi remarked.
Minister of Works Sen. David Umahi dropped the hint Thursday during his meeting with the contractors handling the various road projects in the country at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to the Minister, the expectation of government is to have 150km constructed in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He noted with dismay that most of the contractors had closed down site and taken about one month off-work as holiday for the yuletide, stressing that such is not acceptable going forward.
According to him, one or at most 2 weeks would have been enough for a serious contractor to return to site and continue his work.
While assuring contractors that there is money and that the President Tinubu-led administration is ready to pay them for certificates raised, Umahi directed that they all return to site forthwith, while issues are being addressed.
“Return to site, even if you are being owed, provision had been made in the budget for you,” he said, commending some contractors whom he said had done well.
The Minister who reiterated commitment to reviewing existing contract in terms of cost effectiveness among others also directed that all contractors present themselves for debt verification, stressing that 1.5 trillion said to be owed them “is not a joke”, even as he assured that every successful verification would definitely be paid for.
He revealed how steps have been taken to close the hitherto information gab whereby as contractors are paid, even by the various development partners, the information gets down to them at the ministry.
The Minister also reiterated his warning, that only engineers registered and certified by the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) must be engaged in doing any road project across the country.
Stressing that going forward, contractors should ensure that the shoulders of the roads the built are done with concrete to avoid untimely failure, also charged the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to be on its toe in maintaining highways across the country.
He disclosed that President Tinubu had directed that the operations of country’s sole federal road maintenance body be reviewed for enhanced performance.