The Federal Government of Nigeria has assured immediate intervention on the damaged section of Kano-Maiduguri federal road within Bauchi State which was cut off by flooding after a heavy downpour recently.
Works Minister, Engr David Umahi who gave the assurance in a statement released by his aide, directed that a technical team from the Ministry to move to the spot to evaluate the damage done and report back to procure an emergency solution to the problem.
While added that this solution will alleviate the attendant inconveniences faced by the road users, especially the people of Malori- Guskuri community in Katsgun Local Govt Area of Bauchi whose source of livelihood has been severely affected by the destruction occasioned by flood.
Umahi said, “I’m directing the Director of Highway Rehabilitation to liaise with the Permanent Secretary to immediately deploy some technical people to go and evaluate what can be done and it’s unfortunate that when a job is completed by contractors, we don’t even enjoy the road for five years, and we are back to square one.
“That’s why I’ve been saying that this issue of a one-year liability period is not desirable because every badly executed job can last for one year, but it can not last for five years.
“So we’re still going to request the contractor that did the job, Mothercart Ltd, to join that team and find out why the road had to cut into two as reported to us today, and that is section three of Kano-Maiduguri road.”
In a performance review meeting, Umahi said plans were underway to review the liability period for all federal government projects to ensure durability and value for money.
This meeting was to review Dangote Group of Companies Plc, BUA Group of Companies Plc and Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd on their road projects handled under the Road Infrastructure Development, Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme held in Abuja recently.
He said that going forward, there would be an agreement on milestone completion and timetable for the various ongoing projects being done under Tax Credit. “So my position as the Minister of Works is that everybody must take responsibility.
“We will no longer fold our hands and allow the projects we have awarded and even reviewed to continue to linger. Nigerians are suffering on these roads.
“And President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is doing everything possible, giving the road sector special attention. And so it will be a failure on our side for us to fold our hands and watch contractors linger on these roads without minding the sufferings of the people.”
Umahi called for more commitment on the side of all the funding partners, the ministry, and the contractors and asked for patience on the side of Nigerians. He said, ” So we call for patience, partnership, and patriotism. The President means well for this nation.
“We must play our part and this is very important. So to our contractors and to every staff member of the Ministry of Works, and of course to myself, we all must sit up and play our part to support the divine vision of Mr. President to retake our country”, he said.