AfriPulse
Minister of Works, David Umahi
The Federal Government on Saturday threatened to drag three contractors handling sections of the Abuja–Lokoja Road before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over poor performance.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, issued the warning during an inspection tour from Abuja to Obajana Junction in Kogi State.
Umahi expressed disappointment that one of the contractors had completed only three kilometres out of a 400-kilometre stretch, two years after the contract was awarded.
“The three jobs we gave out in 2023 may be facing the EFCC. We will summon them to the office and give them timelines in line with the law.
” If they fail, we will have no choice but to hand over the matter to the EFCC and ICPC to recover public funds,” Umahi said.
The minister acknowledged that while the quality of work on some sections was commendable, but expressed disppointment over the pace of project execution.
He warned that field engineers who fail to raise alarm over non-performance would also be held accountable.
The Abuja–Lokoja dual carriageway covers about 460 kilometres.
According to Umahi, the Tinubu administration has already intervened in over 230 kilometres, leaving about 200 kilometres in deplorable condition.
He listed some of the contractors on the project, noting varying degrees of performance.
JRB Construction, he said, had executed over 15 kilometres of its 22-kilometre stretch at satisfactory quality.
He said, Guild Construction is handling 53 kilometres at N56bn, with slow but quality delivery, while Trucrete is executing a 47-kilometre reinforced concrete section previously terminated from Bulletin Construction.
The minister, however, singled out some contractors, particularly Soji, for poor performance, warning that the government would no longer tolerate such delays.
“What Mr. President inherited is frightening. Every region has serious road challenges. Everything cannot be completed in two or four years, but we are determined to make progress.
“Contractors who fail to deliver will not go unpunished,” Umahi stressed.
Source: TheWhistler | Read the Full Story…
