FG orders RCC to resume work on east-west road

From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja

Minister of Works, David Umahi has ordered Messres  Renolds Construction  Company (RCC),  Nigeria  Limited  to  immediately resume  work on the 15km Eleme  to Onne junction on the East West Road, Rivers State.

The minister  suspended the work during his unscheduled  inspection  visit to the project  site on  January 27, 2024, due to observed  infractions on the construction specifications.

The  directive, according to a statement, is in accordance  with the resolutions  reached  in a meeting  with the Permanent Secretary  and key directors  of the ministry  together  with the management of  RCC Limited in his office.

The minister  had ordered the suspension  of work on the project due to substandard  jobs and invited the management  of the company to report to the ministry for  resolution of technical  issues.

Umahi  further directed the contractors handling  the project to  resume  work on the four sections  of the project and  in strict  compliance  with the contract  specifications. They are also required  to  liaise with the  permanent  secretary and the director  in charge  of construction to engage  with the representatives  of the host communities on issues  bordering on alleged  infringement  on the  contractors’  right  of way which,   according  to them,  slows down the project.

“The  Minister of Works  is determined  to see to the  speedy  and quality delivery  of  Federal  Government’s  jobs across  the nation in line with the vision  of the Renewed Hope administration of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President  Bola Ahmed Tinubu and he is unbending  in his resolve not to  accept  the delivery  of jobs that fall short  of standard,” the statement noted.

Recall that the minister had suspended the job last Sunday saying that the order became imperative following the use of sub-standard materials by the contractor handling the project.

He also expressed sadness over the slow pace of work even after the government had made an advance payment of N33 billion.

The minister explained that the work has to stop pending when some irregularities concerning the project are resolved.

“The project must benefit the people. The rainy season is coming in two months and the people will go ahead suffering.

“You have our  N33 billion. Do you know what the interest rate is every month on the bill?” he asked the contractor.