By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
As part of efforts to create an effective roadmap for the funding and delivery of ongoing projects inherited from previous administrations, the federal government has reached a mutual agreement with the contractors handling the rehabilitation of Lokoja- Shintaku – Dekina – Anyigba road and the reconstruction of Okene – Ajaokuta – Itobe dual carriageway in Kogi State on the way forward with plans to rejig project delivery roadmap for both projects which were awarded in 2022 to CCECC Nig Ltd and TEC Engineering Company Nig Ltd and meant to have been completed in 2024.
While meeting with the contractors in his office on Thursday in Abuja, Minister of Works Sen. David Umahi frowned at the delay of the contractors in achieving the key deliverables of the projects within the timelines and financial resources made available by the federal government.
According to a statement signed by his media aide, Barr. Orji U. Orji, the minister underscored the commitment of the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to road infrastructure revolution anchored on the core values of quality, speed and value for money in project delivery.
On the contract for the rehabilitation of Okene- Ajaokuta – Itobe carriageway in Kogi State handled by CCECC Nig Ltd, he noted that the project was awarded in 2022 with a length of 52.27km, but the contractor had only achieved 1.97% completion (binder) on one alignment despite receiving ₦2.5 Billion advance payment.
He therefore directed the director, Highway North Central to issue a warning letter to the contractor, to within 30 days, resume work on the site (using the old rate) to achieve a milestone that is commensurate with the money they received, after which the balance of the job yet to be done would be mutually terminated to enable the Ministry procure the remaining section of the project for enhanced funding and execution.
On the contract for the rehabilitation of Lokoja- Shintaku – Dekina – Anyigba road with a spur from Dekina to Ugbabo in Kogi State, handled by TEC Engineering Company Nig Ltd, the Minister noted that the contract was awarded in 2022 but recorded only 1.04% completion, despite ₦1 billion received by the contractor as advance payment.
It was directed that the contractor pay 3km asphalt by December 2025 after which a final account would be made based on the milestone completed and the job would be terminated on mutual basis.
It was further directed that the assessment of the funds already released shall be based on the old rate while the assessment of the funds to be accessed under the year 2025 budget shall be based on the new rate.
The Minister also directed that the consultancies for both contracts be mutually terminated pending when a new contract is procured on the projects.
The meeting was attended by key officials of the Federal Ministry of Works including Engr I D. Daikwo, Director, Highway North Central, Engr. I. U. Usman, Deputy Director Highway North Central, Mr Mohammed A. Ahmed, Director Press and Public Relations, and Engr Gana Musa Patiko, Federal Control of Works, Kogi State.
Others were: the representatives of the contractors, Mr Shaun, Marking Manager of TEC Engineering Company Nig Ltd and Mr Zhou, the Senior Executive Director of CCECC Nig Ltd; the project consultants including Mr Sesan Adeboyejo and Engr Ene Wakama, as well as the Commissioner for Works, Kogi State, Hon. Engr Muhammed A. Yusuf, who represented Kogi State government.