By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has called on contractors handling the rehabilitation of Abuja-Lokoja road project to live up to President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to infrastructure delivery.
Umahi warned that company and supervising officials from the ministry must not bring shame to the administration through poor performance or delays.
Speaking during inspection of the road with leaders of senate and House committees on Works,Tuesday, he said no contractor should remove existing asphalt without the approval of the ministry.
He commended them on the pace of work done so far, assuring them that funds will be released to them.
“Don’t put us to shame, Tinubu is committed to the road projects, so we should all do things that will keep moving the country forward.
“Tinubu administration expects contractors to deliver quality roads within agreed timelines”
Umahi vowed to remove Ministry of Works staff who cannot account for projects under their supervision, warning that contractors failing to deploy on the Abuja–Lokoja corridor will face police and EFCC action.
“Definitely, I’m going to remove my staff, Ministry of Works staff that are not doing well, supervising these projects. Yet they cannot answer any question on any of the projects. And yet you will be calling out the Minister of Works, you’ll be calling our President.
“Leave the people that have failed the nation. You are calling those who lose sleep at night. It’s very annoying. We can’t be pampering contractors. If you are holding the money of the Federal Government, you have to bring it out and do the job, or we start going to the police and the EFCC.”
The minister gave contractors a 72-hour ultimatum to mobilize to site, noting that President Bola Tinubu had approved the release of funds for the project, which is being handled under the Ministry of Works.
“I’m giving you 72 hours to effectively deploy on this road, utilize the money. While I’m chasing the release of the money, the President has graciously signed that because this is an NNPC project. And I know that NNPC is hearing us. You have a commitment to fulfilling your obligation.”
Umahi also said outstanding payments to contractors under earlier agreements must be honoured once funds are released.
“The President has graciously signed, but we feel so frustrated that the money is not released. Contractors are not happy about it, and road users are the ones suffering,” he said.
The minister warned that the Abuja-bound lane, which he said is over 90% destroyed, could become impassable within months if urgent work is not done.
“So I feel so sad. You see, the entire Abuja bound is over 90% destroyed. And if nothing is done within the next few months, it will be a different story altogether.”
