The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has on Sunday, threatened to sack the contractor working on the Abia section of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Highway currently undergoing rehabilitation.
In a statement on Sunday by the works ministry’s Director of Information, Olusola Abiola, reveals that Umahi gave the contractor, Messrs China Civil Engineering Construction, a 14-day ultimatum to perform or face contract termination as it will no longer be business as usual.
Abiola said, “The minister of works has just directed a 14-day termination notice to Messrs China Civil Engineering Construction handling the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway after using all due process on construction. After 14 days, if they fail to do what we have asked them to do, then we will have to do the termination notice.”
He explained that the government would no longer accept shabby jobs done by contractors, adding that there would consequences for poor performance.
“We will no longer tolerate the situation where contractors will put blank ranks on site, and they will be escalating construction costs by delaying the completion of the project date.
“We have reached an agreement in the Ministry of Works that in the coming weeks, all non-performing contracts using due process will be terminated and re-awarded,” he said.
Stressing the determination of the ministry to deliver quality and good highways to Nigerians, the statement quoted Umahi as saying: “It is very important to appreciate all the efforts of Mr. President who has been providing funds for our road infrastructure projects; which is very, very good.
“So it’s kudos to Mr. President and it shows that Mr. President is very, very sensitive to our road infrastructure needs. And so we must do everything to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President, irrespective or notwithstanding any blackmail.”
This latest directive is the third issued by the minister since he assumed office. Last year September, he ordered the immediate suspension of construction work at the Kaiama section of the East-West Road in Bayelsa State over complaints of a shoddy job done by the contractor.
Umahi, while expressing his anger over the development, said despite receiving N71bn, the contractor was delivering a low-quality job.
In January, the minister also ordered the immediate suspension of reconstruction work at the Eleme-Onne section of the East-West Road in Rivers State following the use of sub-standard materials by the contractor handling the project but reversed the suspension 20 hours later after a closed-door meeting with the contractor and the ministry’s officials.
(Punch)