Nigerian Minister of Works Sen. (Engr). David Nweze Umahi has made it known that the Federal Goverment through his Ministry will review all projects having augmentations.
Umahi made this statement while granting an interview with Pressmen during the Inspection tour of the reconstruction of Bende – Ohafia – Arochukeu road section I in Abia State on Thursday September 7, 2023.
The Minister explained why he wants to review the projets, though not as proof, but because he wants to have the knowledge why a project is being reviewed. His words ” I have directed that all the regional Directors will work with my team of consultants to review all the projects that are having augmentation.
“It’s not a proof but l want to answer many questions about a project for example project awarded in many number of years for say 2 billion is now ten billion l should be able to answer that.
“I seek for knowledge to know why projects are being reviewed, whether it will ever have augmentation, l want to unravel the augmentation even though BPP would have approved it. if I feel the augmentation is not necessary I will bring down the cost . He added.
Umahi said that the review of the augmentation is to also help him to answer Mr President, the National Assembly, the Nigerian masses and the Press so he will be able to defend what ever augmentation that arises.
While answering questions on whether the success story of his Ebonyi state advocacy on concrete technology being replicated across the country will be supported, he said, that depends on the stability of the road for instance in the Northern part of the country the use of ashpalt can be used but not in all situations.
“Depending on the stability of the road like in the North we can do asphalt , but that is not to say concrete cannot be used. With ashpalt in the Northern part of the country, that will last for ten years, if you use concrete it will last for fifty years”.
Engr. Umahi expressed happiness with the pace of work in the areas that the contractor is handling.
Speaking earlier, the contractor, M/S HARTLAND NIG. LTD. explained that the contract was awarded in 2020 with total number of forty-five kilometer and they could only conclud on 4km of the road.
Umahi vows to partner Southeast Govs on road infrastructure
Earlier, the Minister has expressed optimism that collaboration with the South East Governors will transform the region’s road infrastructural development, thereby bringing an end to the perennial issue of failed roads and none motorable roads in the region.
Umahi made this statement when he paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti and his counterpart, the Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mba respectively during his ongoing inspection tours of Federal road projects in the region.
The Minister at each visit listed and narrated all the federal road projects in the state and pleaded for collaboration and synergy to getting the work done which he says will bring development and boost socio-economic and commercial activates in the region.
“We have 11 federal road projects ongoing in Abia state and up to ten in Enugu state and all of them are going on well, some are on Tax credit Scheme, while others on MTN sponsorship, some others on Sukuk, they all have funding.
“And the ones on budget we will do something about it to make sure the roads are put in use for our people, get us informed if you notice anything wrong and I suggest the appointment of an SSA on federal roads, this will help to get you informed well on any issue that may delay work”, he said.
Umahi took time to explain to them FG’s new proposal on what it calls Brown Field and Green Field Projects which he noted will bring to an end the issues of dragging for refund on money spent by state government in constructing federal roads in their states, this is rather an easy agreement and transparency incorporated.
“You can do federal roads if you want but no refund for now from federal government because there is no money, but I suggest you key in into what we call Green field or Brown Field Road Projects.
You construct a new road you toll it get your money and we start to share the profit, or you take up constructed road, to maintain it, you toll get your money and we share the profit, we can talk more on it” He said.
The Minister introduced the use of concrete pavement technology as a better option on road construction in the region considering the soil texture of the region, moreso that it’s cheaper, safer and it lasts longer than asphalt without maintenance for a longer time.
“It is safer doing it on concrete and it’s cheaper, Asphalt is good but it will not last long. I believe strongly that if we start using it in the region it will help us because water does not disturb it rather it makes it stronger without much maintenance but it’s durable having stayed for long” He said.
Responding, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti welcomed the Minister for his visit which he said came right in time as the new government prepares to embark on some road projects in the state and promise to key into rigid pavement technology.
He congratulated him on his appointment describing it as a well-deserved appointment considering his antecedents in infrastructural development in Ebonyi State and urged him to replicate same in the South East and the Nation at large, for the benefit of all.
Also, responding the Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Peter Ndubuis Mbah warmly received the Minister and commended his immediate response to visiting federal road projects in different states across the Nation describing it as desirable.
The Governor thanked him for his innovation on the use of concrete pavement which he affirmed was a good idea that is worth keying into and that he too shall introduce and use it as well.