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Umahi To Contractors, Go Back to Site, Sets Delivery Time For Projects

- By Joyce Onuora, Abakaliki

The Honourable Minister of works Engr. David Umahi has charged contractors under the Federal Ministry of Works to brace themselves up for the standard of work and delivery time frame required of every contractor under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope administration.

The Special Adviser (Media) to the Hon. Minister, Hon. Barr. Uchenna Orji made the statement in a Press release made available to newsmen on Thursday January 11, 2024. during a meeting between Directors of the Ministry and contractors, at the Ministry of works' headquarters Mabushi-Abuja.

The statement stated that, the Works Minister said, going forward, contractors must take into account of the plight of Nigerians and the Renewed Hope Initiatives on road infrastructure development in executing their projects. 

He maintained that the Ministry of Works means business and would not take excuses from contractors, assuring them that the Ministry would consider the review of contracts previously consummated in line with set parameters and prevailing economic situations, and that all generated certificates would be verified and payment made accordingly; urging them to ensure that all issues of contract variations were brought to the notice of the relevant departments of the Ministry. 

Engr Umahi thanked President Tinubu for the prompt release of funds for palliatives works.

”The Bureau of Public Procurement has approved over 80% of requests for palliative projects. Those who indicated interest in the palliative projects should please come to the Ministry to collect their award letters and complete documentation. Mr. President has graciously released 50% funds of the palliative work, and wants to see action in all the 36 States and Abuja.” 

The Honourable Minister used the opportunity to announce the re-organization of the supervision structure for the Special Projects across the nation and introduced a special mechanism for tracking certificates generated by contractors and expressed hope that with the new initiative under the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President, he is sure that each State of the Federation would record not less than 150km roads in the Federal roads network in the year 2024 in addition to the special road projects funded through different extra budgetary platforms. 

Earlier in his remarks, the representative of the Permanent Secretary and Director Highway, Bridges and Design, Engr. Awosanya Onatuga, stated that the meeting of Directors and contractors with the Honourable Minister was an agenda setting for the year 2024, and the essence was to take the task of performance that would help them move the Works sub-sector forward in accordance with the innovative plans of Federal Government under President Tinubu.

He thanked the Honourable Minister for the relief given to road users toward the Xmas and New Year seasons. 

"We can say we did very well towards the end of last year 2023. There were no adverse reports on any blockage, people sleeping on the road. Yes, we may have not done so much; we may not be where we are supposed to be, but with the can-do spirit of the Minister which is not slowing down, we are on the right track"