By ABAH SUNDAY, Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has directed that 14 days termination notice be issued to Messrs China Civil Engineering Construction (CECC) the contractors handling the Abia Section of Enugu-Port Harcourt Highway currently undergoing rehabilitation, for non-performance.
Minister of Works Sen. Nweze David Umahi gave the directive this Sunday when he inspected the progress of work at Ozuaku, after Imo bridge along Enugu- Port Harcourt expressway, according to a statement signed by the director of Information in the ministry, Olusola Abiola.
The Minister said, “I’ve just directed that they issue them 14 days termination notice using all due process on construction. After 14 days, if they fail to do what we have asked them to do, then we will have to do the termination notice.
“We will no longer tolerate the situation where contractors will put blank ranks on site. And they will be escalating construction costs by delaying the completion of project date.
“We have reached an agreement in Ministry of Works that in the coming weeks, all non-performing contracts using due process will be terminated and re-awarded.”
According to him, Nigerians are suffering, and “we are here to help them and we will do everything to help them,” he stressed”.
Sen. Umahi then observed that the cost of non-completion of the project has a lot to do with contractors who, according to him, stay on projects over and over under false pretence and thereafter come to request for augmentation every year, refusing to leave the site.
He however assured, “We will force them out of site either on the terms of completion or on the terms of termination. This is what we are going to do.”
Stressing the imperative of delivering quality and good highways to Nigerians by the ministry, the Minister averred that it is very important to appreciate all the efforts of Mr President who has been providing funds for our road infrastructure projects.
Sen. Umahi emphasised that President Tinubu must be commended for providing huge resources for construction and rehabilitation, respectively, of roads within the network
3,000 road projects inherited by the administration.
It shows that Mr President is very sensitive to our road infrastructure needs. And so we must do everything to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President, irrespective or notwithstanding any blackmail,” he urged.
Meanwhile, the Minister has lauded Arab Contractors, the contractor carrying out the ongoing rehabilitation of work on the 56km Abia State section of the Enugu -Port Harcourt highway for quality of work done with words of encouragement.
“The moment a contractor is performing very well, then you are a friend and that’s the bottom line,” he submitted.
In the same vein, the Minister has described as excellent the job performance of Messrs CGC Nig. Ltd handling Enugu State axis of the dual carriage after his inspection of the roads
While commending the contractor, the consultant, and the Controller of Works for job quality, the Minister requested that the ongoing work on one section of the highway be completed by middle of March as agreed.