Nigerian Government through the Ministry of Works has given ultimatum to contractors handling the 10 inherited ongoing projects in Niger State to move to site without further delay and ensure quality and speedy delivery of the project or risk termination of such contracts.
This is in keeping with the policy direction of the Renewed Hope administration of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on all ongoing federal road projects across the nation.
Works Minister, Sen (Engr) David Umahi disclosed this at a meeting with the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago, the National Assembly members including the Senate Committee Chairman on Finance, Sen. Mohammed Sani Musa, among other stakeholders from the State.
Umahi expressed displeasure over the attitude of some contractors handling federal roads in Niger State who received various degrees of advance payment but failed or neglected to do the job thereby causing untold hardship to road users.
He warned that there would be consequences for contractors who would collect money for projects and would delay or do sub-standard jobs or lack in capacity to deliver the projects in line with the policy direction of the current administration which emphasizes speed, quality and value for money.
According to the statement released by the Ministry revealed the 10 inherited ongoing federal road projects as listed by the Minister of Works: 52km Agaje-Katcha-Baro road in Niger State under Contract No: 6254 handled by GR Building and Construction Nig. Ltd.Dualization of Suleja – Lambata – Minna Road, Phase I in Niger State Contract No: 6077 handled by Salini Nigeria Ltd, dualization of Suleja – Lambata – Minna Road, Phase II in Niger State Contract No: 6267 handled by Salini Nigeria Ltd.
Dualization of Ilorin, Jebba – Mokwa – Bokani Junction Road Section 1; Jebba – Mokwa – Bokani Junction in Kwara and Niger States handled by CGC Nig. Ltd, dualization of Ilorin, Jebba – Mokwa – Bokani Junction Road Section II; Jebba – Mokwa – Bokani Junction in Kwara and Niger States handled by CGC Nig. Ltd.
Reconstruction of Bida – Lapai – Lambatta Road in Niger State Contract No: 6272 handled by CGC Nig. Ltd, rehabilitation of Mokwa – Makera – Tegina – Kaduna State handled by CGC Nig. Ltd, rehabilitation of Minna – Zungeru – Tegina – Kontagora Road in Niger State (Section 2) handled by Gilmor Engineering Nig Ltd.Construction of Minna – Zungeru – Tegina Road in Niger State Contract No: 7732 handled by Develeco Nig Ltd/HMF Cons Ltd, reconstruction of Bida – Cernu – Wushishi – Zungeru Road in Niger State; Phase I C/No 8492 handled by Gerawa Global Engineering Ltd”, the Minister listed.
The Niger Governor while speaking at the meeting expressed concern that the failure of the contractor in living up to expectation in jobs awarded to them adversely affected the socio-economic condition of the State
He added that this was adding impetus to the security challenges encountered by the State while called for the revocation of the contract handled by Salini Nig. Ltd which was awarded since 2010 for lack of capacity.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Works praised the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Works in changing the narratives in the construction industry and expressed hope that the resilience of the Ministry would return Nigeria’s road infrastructure trajectory to the path of progress.The resolutions made during the meeting includes: In the case of contract handled by GR Building and Construction Nig Ltd, their impressive work was noted and it was resolved that efforts would be made to provide funds for the project through 2025 appropriation to enable them fast-track the job.
In the matter of the jobs handled by Salini Ltd, there was consensus by stakeholders that the contractor has shown manifest lack of capacity going by the sub- standard jobs noticed in the two sections of their job and it was resolved that the contract be terminated through due process and re-awarded to a more serious and competent contractor.
Consequently, a committee was set up with a mandate to liaise accordingly, do an account before the termination of the contract. The Director Legal Services was directed to issue to contractor notice of contract termination.
The Niger State Government was requested to recommend consultants to the Ministry to carry out the engineering design of the road following due process and subsequent supervision of the works. The design is expected to be completed within seven (7) days.
The meeting was described as a pace setting initiative for all the inherited ongoing projects in each of the States of the Federation with a feedback process initiated, and it is hoped that there would be a meeting in January 2025 to appraise the performance of the contracts in Niger State.
