By ABAH SUNDAY, Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has been commended by contractors handling road projects across the country through its Ministry of Works for its commitment to prompt payment, standards, and timely project delivery now being witnessed.
The commendation was made by the Association of Ministry of Works’ Contractors (AMWC) during a courtesy call on the Minister of Works, Sen Nweze David Umahi, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, a statement issued Thursday by the Minister’s media aide, Barr Orji Orji, disclosed.
The Minister charged the contractors to continue to work for the future of Nigeria by making sacrifices that would support the economic recovery plans of the Renewed Hope administration of Mr President.
He commended the Association for their support for, and cooperation with the ministry’s policies and programmes.
He expressed the commitment of the ministry to giving the indigenous contractors a level playing ground and equal opportunities with their foreign counterparts in the award of contracts, but harped on the need for all contractors to strictly adhere to procurement and job specifications, best practices, and timely delivery as the road infrastructure is the life-wire of the economy of every nation.
He also stressed the need for contractors to prepare to cut down costs in line with the economic realities of the country, having in mind the need for all to contribute towards alleviating the sufferings of Nigerians.
“And so let me thank you people for putting yourselves together to come. And thanks so much for your commendation of our modest achievements. I’m very proud of the indigenous contractors. I’ve been on site to see some of your jobs, and I have confidence in you.”
Against the backdrop of what the statement described as sponsored blackmail and falsehood often published by detractors, Umahi said it was not unexpected for a person who wants a positive change from ‘the business as usual’ attitude of some contractors.
“So I am open to all the attacks, I’m open to all the blackmails. At least let it be that our quarrel is not because I’m asking them to give me money, but to cut down on cost, in line with the economic realities of the country, where everybody must make sacrifices.
“The indigenous contractors are as committed as us. We have already sailed. The ship is on the high sea. If it goes bad, all of us will go in. But there are some people whose people will send a plane to come and evacuate them. We are not evacuateable. So we have to make sacrifices to support Mr President.”
He expressed hope that with Mr. President’s timely intervention and release of funds for road infrastructure development to contractors, they would deliver, and the economy would be alive again.
Speaking earlier, the spokesperson of the Association, Alhaji Abdul- kareen Smith said they came as a delegation of the contractors drawn from the six political zones of the federation to convey their unwavering solidarity with to the Minister and support for all the policies and programmes of the ministry under the Renewed Hope administration.
“We have seen the good work you have been doing since your assumption of office. We have seen the passion that you put into the work, and that is uncommon. The members that cut across the six geo-political zones have sent us to tell you that we appreciate all the efforts you are making and that we are solidly behind you and all your programmes,” they said, thanking him for the introduction of concrete technology and other innovations for Nigerian roads which, according to them, became a game changer for Nigeria’s economic regeneration.