The Nigerian Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi has said his Ministry is ready to fight contractors that resisted concrete design for the construction and rehabilitation of the country’s roads.
Umahi who made this known in his address to North-west contractors at the Ministry’s headquarter in Abuja on Friday, complained that the use of asphalt in the construction of roads was having negative effects on the country’s economy.
The Minister who is also an engineer, stated that concrete roads were cheaper and more durable, while wondered why contractors were bent on using asphalt in road construction in South-south, South-west, South- east, and some parts of the North-central.
He added that due to the economic situation occasioned by the strength of the naira to the dollar, it is unwise to continue to resist the use of concrete roads and expressed his determination to oppose such resistance.
Umahi said, “I am ready for a fight with those who are resisting concrete technology in road building because concrete is cheaper than asphalt and more durable”.
He assured contractors working with the Ministry that there is no cause for worry as long as they deliver on their projects. “I will not tamper with your job, i will not tamper with your profit the stake I want to tamper with is the quality of your job.”
The Minister reassured Nigerians that under his leadership concerted effort will be made ensuring that contractors executed as quickly as possible and to ensure contractors work with realistic quotation to avoid wastage of funds.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mahmuda Maman who was represented by the Director Highways Construction and Rehabilitation, Eng Folorunsho Esan enjoined contractors to feel free to express their feelings that the meeting was to discuss ongoing road projects in the North West.