By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The Nigerian Senate has commended the bold steps being taken by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through the Federal Ministry of Works in tackling the challenges that inhibit road infrastructure development in Nigeria.
The commendation was given by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Barinada Mpigi, during an investigative hearing of the committee on contractors’ slow pace of work on the Odukpani-Aba-Odukpani-Ikot Ekpene and other sections ending at Benin, including the Odukpani-Itu Highway, the Eket Bypass, Port Harcourt – Ahoada, Ahoada – Kaiama, and Port Harcourt – Onne Junction sections of the East-West Road.
In the meeting which also had in attendance the Minister of Works, Sen. Nweze David Umahi, with his management team and concerned contractors, Senator Mpigi noted that the Senate was prepared to fully back actions that hold contractors accountable and put an end to practices that delay the impact of this administration’s infrastructure delivery goals.
In a statement signed by Barr. Orji U. Orji, the media aide to the Minister of Works, Senator Mpigi maintained that Nigerians deserved nothing short of the best in road infrastructure deliverables, urging stakeholders to uphold their responsibilities in this regard.
According to him, the Minister of Works, Senator Umahi, had demonstrated remarkable decisiveness in identifying and addressing non-performing contracts.
“His actions in revoking underperforming agreements and ensuring that public funds are redirected to more capable contractors reflect a deep commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration. In the Senate, we will support every step taken to ensure its success.”
Lamenting the hardship contractors’ behaviour has caused road users, he said, “This deplorable condition has resulted in devastating consequences. Precious lives have been lost, not just on the highway but also among those forced to seek alternative routes through treacherous river crossings.
According to the statement, the committee also gave Julius Berger Plc an ultimatum to appear before it on 6th December 2024, and threaten to issue a warrant of arrest on Julius Berger Plc should it fail to appear before it as scheduled.
In a follow-up development, the Minister of Works, Sen. Umahi, received in audience the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman with her team in his office on Friday in Abuja.
The Minister, while welcoming the monitoring team took them through the nitty-gritty of the services being rendered by the ministry to the public and the processes involved, according to a statement signed by Ahmed Mohammed, the Director, Press and Public Relations.
The Minister noted that road is a critical infrastructure that cannot be over-looked as every strata of human beings make use of it, both the rich and the poor, young and old etc, thanking Mr President for making road infrastructure a priority amongst the eight priority areas of the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.
On her part, the Presidential aide said the visit was to formally introduce her team who will be engaging with the ministry’s officials by way of monitoring its performance.
She sought for better ways of enhancing and fast-tracking works on Nigeria roads geared toward the actualisation of the Renewed Hope deliverables.
While hoisting the banner of the approved 8-point Priority Areas of the present Administration, which must be achieved, she announced that the assessment is to be carried out by her team, in the coming week.
Present at the meeting were the Minister of State, Muhammad Bello Goronyo, the Permanent Secretary, Yakubu Adam Kofamata, Highways and Service Directors, as well as heads of units.