Umahi to road contractors: Return to site in 14 days or lose your contracts

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has given contractors constructing federal highways 14 days to mobilise their personnel and equipment back to the site or risk losing their contracts.

Umahi gave the warning during a meeting with all contractors handling federal roads on Wednesday in Abuja.

The minister warned that any contractor who fails to comply with the directive and meet up with the deadline would be kicked out and replaced with other contractors.

He also told the contractors to desist from frustrating the plan of government to move on with the plan to use concrete technology rather than asphalt.

Stressing the need for concrete roads, Umahi said: “I believe Nigerians will support us on the fact that when you do this asphalt there should be a guarantee on it.

“We have discussed the construction equipment and directed that at least every 30 kilometres, there should be minimum of equipment of eight dossiers.

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“Two graders, four excavators, 20 trailers, and other construction equipment in line with active site works operations. Nigerians should have one road that is very good.”

He added that the ongoing plan to use concrete cannot be stopped unless he is removed from office as a minister.

The former governor of Ebonyi State also vowed to clampdown on contractors cheating the federal government and Nigerians on the thickness of asphalt, denying them value for money.

Umahi added: “You contractors cheat us on the thickness of asphalt. The bitumen imported are of bad quality and then you start putting enhancer and modifier. We do not want that again, there is no such thing overseas. Use the type of asphalt used abroad.

“I believe I have called enough meetings on this issue and we must move forward. Let me advise contractors that are meeting and have ganged up. We have learnt that some of you want to sabotage me to prove that concrete is not good.

“That is a lie, concrete is very good. Go to Lagos seaport and see what the contractor is doing. Go to my state to see what I did. The roads are still there and very good on concrete.

“It is not useful to you because there is no meeting that will make us back down on the principles and policy of the Ministry of Works. This policy has been set in motion and will only stop if I am removed from office by Mr President.

“Even this morning, the directors met and increased the price and I accepted it. The price is only for Trunk A. Trunk B and C will not enjoy that price because it is going to be on a different design.”

The Star