By Maduka Nweke
Association of Ministry of Works’ Contractors (AMWC), has commended the Ministry for what is said is the seamless arrangement in the payment of money to contractors handling road projects and the commitment to high standards and speed in project delivery.
The commendation was made when the association paid a courtesy call to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi in Abuja recently.
Receiving the delegation, Umahi commended the association for their support and expressed the commitment of the Ministry in giving the indigenous contractors a level playing ground and equal oppourtunities in the award of contracts. He harped on the need for all contractors to strictly adhere to procurement and job specifications, greater speed and best standards as the road infrastructure is the life-wire of the economy of every nation.
He further harped on the need for contractors to prepare to cut down costs in line with the economic realities of the country, having in mind the need for all to contribute towards alleviating the sufferings of Nigerians.
“Thank for your commendation of our modest achievements. I’m very proud of the indigenous contractors. I’ve been on site to see some of your jobs and I have confidence in you.
“I am open to any controversy as long as it is not over allegations that I am asking them to give me money, but to cut down on cost, in line with the economic realities of the country, where everybody must make sacrifices.
“The indigenous contractors are as committed as we are. We have already sailed. The ship is at the high sea. If it goes bad, all of us will go in but if the ship goes bad, there are some people whose people will send a plane to come and evacuate them. We are not evacuatable. So we have to make sacrifices to support President Bola Tinubu,” he said.
He expressed hope that with the President’s intervention on road infrastructure development and the timely release of funds to contractors, the contractors would deliver, which in turn would help the economy.
“We have to take back the country to rescue our people from suffering over terrible roads. If we have good roads, insecurity will reduce, commerce will increase, and transportation costs will become cheaper. Social activities would also increase,” he said.
You can see the cost of the flight now. the flight is increased, poor people can use the road. Then it’s a problem. So we should have a conscience. Place God first because God represents the people in all that we do.”
Speaking during the courtesy call, the spokesperson of the Association, Abdul- kareen Smith* said that they came as a delegation of the contractors drawn from the six Geo-politcal Zones of the Federation to convey their unwavering solidarity to the Minister of Works and support to all the policies and programmes of the Ministry under the Renewed Hope administration for the wonderful infrastructural programmes currently going on in the sector.
“We have seen the good work you have been doing since your assumption of office. We have seen a lot. We have seen some passion that you put into the work, and that is uncommon. The members that cut across the six Geo-political Zones have sent us to tell you that we appreciate all the efforts you are doing and that we are solidly behind you and all your programmes.
“They thanked him for the introduction of concrete technology for Nigerian roads and other innovations, which, according to them, was a game changer for Nigeria’s economic regeneration. He said. “We have seen a lot of changes in some of the things that you have brought about since your assumption of office. And maybe I should start with the concrete technology thing, which a lot of us and maybe some other people misconstrued in the first instance when it initially came in.
But as of today, we can tell you that concrete technology is something that we have embraced. We have come to embrace it, and we are assuring you that we will do our work diligently whenever the opportunity comes.”