*Threatens to revoke Abuja-Lokoja road contract if not fast-tracked
WorldStage– The Minister of Works, David Umahi has said that the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road reconstruction project will gulp N761 billion to be completed.
Umahi disclosed this on Saturday while inspecting the road project.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu has been informed about the completion time. Section 1,2 and 3 will take 14 months.
“For sections 1 and 3, a total of 118 kilometers was given at a total price of N252 billion, the President has paid 30 per cent, which is around N60 billion.
“Section 2 is about 72 kilometers by 2 which is reinforced concrete with 15 Kilometers, it is going to be on flexible also at pavement.
“Total cost is N507 billion and 30 per cent has been paid which was over N150 billion.
“If we combine the two projects up to Kano, it is about N761 billion, which is highly courageous and I commend the President for his interest in building these roads.”
Umahi said the project was tagged as “Rebuilding Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road by President Bola Tinubu.”
According to him, the President has so much passion for the road to be completed and he is funding it as a priority project.
“We are happy for the section completed on concrete. Before it was construction of road which was lasted for 10 years, but now we are building roads.”
The minister assured that the roads being built by the administration of President Bola Tinubu would last for over 100 years.
He described the feat as a legacy that the present administration would leave for incoming generations as there would be no need for rebuilding those roads again.
“This explains why we have to talk to the contractors to do a good job as the President has directed that the Ministry should replicate the quality of road applicable in the Western world.”
He added that the ministry would do his biddings.
He commended the contractors for job well done and urged them to meet the completion date target.
He urged Nigerians and young engineers to understand the new trend and innovation in road construction and key into it.
“Roads and bridges are the indicators that grow our GDP, it is on this GDP that other sectors of our economy grow based on durable roads and bridges.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, urged contractors to work fast in order to meet up with the deadline.
He added that they should work fast to cover up the time wasted during the rainy season as people were anxious for the timely completion of the project.
ABUJA-LOKOJA ROAD CONTRACT
Meanwhile, the Federal Government says it will revoke the contract for the construction of Abuja- Lokoja highway, if work on the critical road is not significantly accelerated.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the warning to the contractor handling the project, during an inspection tour of the ongoing reconstruction works on Saturday in Abuja.
Umahi commended the contractor for the quality of work done, but frowned at the slow pace of work.
He said the contractors would be paid for jobs done based on milestone completion.
According to him, those who could not meet up the Federal Government targets would get their contracts revoked and given to those who could deliver.
“We are going to agree on what you can finish in the next one year, and we will agree on milestone completion.
“If you complete from here to there, you will get paid.
“For those who cannot meet up, we will divide their jobs and give to those who can.
“We are giving you an advance notice, and the advance notice is that you should start another gang.
“If I come again in the month of November, and the thing is still like this, I will discontinue the job.
“The quality of the job is excellent, the pace of the work is nonsense,” he said.
Umahi disclosed that the amount approved for the third section of the road, being inspected was N56 billion for 53 kilometers, and the job has to be completed in April 2026.
He explained that it was to be done on asphalt, but the contractor decided to do concrete at the same price upon realisation that it is a better option.
Speaking at another section of the road,umahi commended the quality of work being done.
He said the Federal Government decided to use an indigenous contractor for the job to build content and they were doing a good work.
“The other section of the route, which is about 86 kilometers, is also being procured and if this contractor increases his pace of work, we will ask him to join the contractors that we bid for that one.
” If it is for quality, we give him 99.9 per cent. But he should increase the pace. We know we are owing him that is why it is a bit slow.
“We will pay him within the next 30 days. We are surprising with payment.
“I encourage our indigenous contractors so that they can compete with the expatriates and they are not only competing on the house, they are beating a number of expatriates.”
He commended the Governor and people of Kogi State for their cooperation.
Minister of State for Works Bello Goronyo,commended President Bola Tinubu for being highly passionate about road projects.
“This project is one of the priority projects of the President.
“So, my appeal to the contractors handling this project, is to double your effort.
“Deliver this project on time, because we will not accept any excuse.
“The money is there, and of course, there is a time for completion of this project,”he said.
According to Goronyo, Nigerians are yearning for good roads and infrastructure, and the President is committed to funding the projects.
He appealed to Nigerians to continue to show solidarity.
Also speaking, the state Governor, Ahmed Ododo, represented by the state’s Commissioner for Works, Mohammed Yusuf commended President Bola Tinubu for infrastructure development.
“Our roads are in bad condition. We cannot achieve a greater height in terms of economic development without accessibility.
“That is why we are always praying for President Tinubu, to succeed,” he said.
