By ABAH ADAH, Abuja
Minister of Works, Engr Nweze David Umahi, 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 on Wednesday 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, according to a statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Works, Mohammed A. Ahmed.
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 however expressed displeasure over slow pace of work on Section IV (Aba – Port Harcourt) of the same alignment being handled by Messrs China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), noting that they had only been able to access N7 billion out of the N21 billion 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, urging the Contractor, Messrs Julius Berger (Nig.) Plc, to upscale their deployment of men, materials and machines.
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 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 as captured in the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Minister issued clear directives to Federal Controllers of Works to present at least four 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, stressing that the ministry is poised to take decisive action against any u due delay.
“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 said.
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.
Assuring of close monitoring of all projects, the Minister said the ministry would continue to closely monitor all ongoing projects that they align with President Tinubu’s vision for accelerated national growth and development, Umahi urged seamless synergy among stakeholders to ensure timely completion of all 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 said.