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From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
The Federal Government has issued a marching order to all the contractors handling the Benin- Ekpoma- Auchi- Okpella- Okene- Lokoja Road to immediately commence work on the rehabilitation of the road or face termination of their contracts.
This directive was handed over to the contractors by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi during his inspection visit to the various project sites in Edo State yesterday.
In a statement, the minister who disclosed that the Federal Government has released funds to the contractors handling the projects, warned that contractors who fail to fully mobilise and commence immediate accelerated rehabilitation works on the projects would have their contracts terminated and such contractors blacklisted.
Speaking after a meeting with the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, the minister described as unacceptable the delay of the contractors in fully mobilising to site and effectively commence work despite the release of funds.
On the recent protest along the Jattu axis of the Benin- Auchi highway by the residents of the area which disrupted vehicular movements, Umahi said that his meeting with the governor was to brainstorm on measures to tackle the issues affecting the progress of work in the area.
“I have had a meeting with the governor here. We are concerned about what is happening between Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi- Okpella and the axis of Kogi State. That is what we have been brainstorming on. I have worked with him throughout last night to direct that the road should be unblocked. If you listen the grievances of those people you will not blame them so much, because people are dying; trucks are falling,” he said.
On his part, Obaseki thanked the Minister of Works and assured of the unwavering support of his administration to the concrete technology initiative which he said is the best model for the road infrastructure along the East West and indeed parts of the country.
He harped on the need to remove encumbrances to the construction of enduring road infrastructure in Nigeria.
“I want to thank the Minister for the concern he has shown. Same time last year when I cried for help ahead of the rainy reason, we didn’t get this kind of response.
“We won’t continue using expensive asphalt to do our roads. We should use sustainable local materials. We produce cement and steel; there is no reason why we can’t begin to move towards utilising more concrete for our roads for sustainability so that our roads can last longer,” he said.
The minister who also inspected the Lokoja – Benin Road Dualization Projects, section IV: Benin – Ehor Road in Edo State handled by RCC Nigeria Limited; the section III: Ehor – Auchi in Edo State handled by Dantata & Sawoe Nigeria Limited; and the section II: Auchi – Okene in Edo/Kogi states handled by Mothercat Nigeria Limited tasked them on the best standard and timely delivery of the projects.
