By Dele Ogbodo
In a refreshingly new development, Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, on Saturday insisted that only contractors with wherewithal, competence and track record of deliverables will now be awarded contracts on Nigeria roads.
According to him, the new benchmark is to guarantee that road projects are henceforth no longer abandoned by recalcitrant contractors and those who can’t deliver.
Recall that not too long the Federal Government took a knife-line and irrevocable decision through the Minister terminated the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway, earlier awarded to Julius Berger Plc due largely to unnecessarily delays which lingered for years.
The Minister while expressing satisfaction with the speed of the ongoing works by Messrs. Infiouest International (Nig.) Limited, after inspecting the road, in company of journalists and Ministry staff said Federal Government had no option than to courageously terminate that project by Julius Berger Plc.
He explained that “Section I (Abuja-Kaduna) that starts from the Zuba Interchange (CH0+000) and ends at the Western Bypass (CH165+500) in Kaduna, the Kaduna State Capital with an additional four (4) kilometres from Zuba towards Gwagwalada on the Abuja-Lokoja Expressway. Forty (40) kilometres (dual) will be on rigid pavement (concrete).”
According to the Minister, the company: Infiouest International (Nig.) Limited has proven its capacity to deliver quality jobs on record time, seeing how far they have gone within a month of signing the contract.
“This is without being paid the initial 30% mobilisation fee as against what has been the previous practice,” he emphasised. He stressed that the Ministry’s decision that every contractor must be at the site and working for at least two weeks before the mobilisation fee is paid, is the way to go for sustainable project development and delivery.
Commending the quality of work on the road, the Minister urged resident engineers/Engineer’s representatives on other projects, across the country, to be vigilant in ensuring that the correct composition of the stone base is achieved, stressing that a standard stone base must contain at least 70% stone, hence the name and 30% dust.
“Any deviation from this ratio will compromise the road’s structural integrity, leading to premature failure.” he reaffirmed.
Umahi, also reiterated that the Abuja-Kano Dual Carriageway is so dear to Mr. President’s heart, being a vital corridor linking the North to the southern parts of the country, as well as neighbouring countries of Cameroun, Niger, and Benin Republics.
While promising that the remaining portion of the entire alignment, Section III (Zaria-Kano), which is at the Kano end of the project, will soon be approved and awarded, he advised that reinforced concrete overlay be completed on the underlying structures before the commencement of the rainy season.
“This project is the heartbeat of President Bola Tinubu, because of its economic value. We are committed to ensuring its timely completion, and by the first week of March, we will begin laying an eight-inch continuous reinforced concrete pavement,” the Minister stated.
He reiterated that “The Federal Government remains resolute in its commitment to quality infrastructure development, ensuring that all projects under the Ministry’s supervision must meet the highest standards and be completed on schedule.” He added that interested companies must adhere to international standards and recommended practices in road construction or exit the scene.
The Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer of the construction firm, Mr. Joseph Abougaoude, disclosed that the company took the challenge to start the work without any payment of mobilisation fees because it is capable and, most importantly, its belief in the Renewed Hope Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. He promised to deliver the contract following standards and on record time. He went further to acknowledge the Minister’s proactive leadership, adding “My promise is that I will not let you down. I take this project as a challenge and accept my role in ensuring its success. I am fully committed to this project and will push ahead to meet expectations.”
While fielding questions from reporters on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the status of Julius Berger vis-a-vis contract with the Ministry, the Minister confirmed that before the end of the year, the entire first section of the Highway will be completed and that JBN is not sidelined from the Ministry’s contracts but, on the contrary, they are still working for the Ministry on other road infrastructure projects like the Bodo-Bonny Road, some major bridges in Lagos, as well as other places in Nigeria.
He commended the new leadership of the company for aligning with the policies of the Ministry and respecting professional engineering standards.
