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…Evaluates work done by other contractors
From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
The Federal Government has terminated the dualisation of Suleja – Lambata – Minna Road contract being executed by Salini Nigeria Limited. The contract was awarded in 2010.
The revocation of the contract followed a complaint by the governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago, who reported to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, the prolonged delay in completing the job.
The governor had expressed concern that the failure of the contractor in living up to expectation in jobs awarded to the company had adversely affected the socio-economic condition of the state as well as adding impetus to the security challenges in the state.
He, therefore, called for the revocation of the contract, which was awarded to Salini Nigeria Limited since 2010, saying that the company lacks the capacity to do the job.
It was observed that Salini Nigeria Limited has shown manifest lack of capacity going by the sub-standard jobs noticed in the two sections of their job, which led to the resolution that the contract be terminated through due process and re-awarded to a more serious and competent contractor.
Consequently, a committee was set up with a mandate to liaise accordingly and do an account before the termination of the contract.
The Director, Legal Services, Ministry of Works, was directed to issue the contractor a notice of contract termination.
The Niger State government was requested to recommend consultants to the ministry to carry out the engineering design of the road following due process and subsequent supervision of the works.
The design is expected to be completed within seven days.
On the jobs handled by CGC Nigeria Limited, the contractor was advised to commence work immediately at the stretch between Agaie and Bida, which is reportedly a death trap, while the ministry would release funds to them from the Variation of Prices (VOP).
For the request of CGC Nigeria Limited on their second job, it was resolved that no further quantities would be approved in their favour, but Variation on Price could avail.
On the reconstruction of Bida-Lapai-Lambatat Road, Umahi commended CGC for a good job and for offering Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) services to the host community, but was advised to revisit and repair areas of the road that are failing.
In a statement, the Ministry of Works, noted the rehabilitation of Mokwa-Makera-Tejina-Kaduna handled by CGC, pointing at the strategic economic importance of the road to the North and the security challenges encountered on it.
The contractor was advised to commence work from areas where the security threat is minimal.
It was resolved that a provision be made for the project in the 2025 appropriation.
Similarly, on the contract handled by Gilmor Engineering Nigeria Limited, the meeting resolved that the governor would extend his generous security assistance to the contractor handling the project while the contractor should liaise with the state government in this regard.
However, the stakeholders frowned at the delay by the contractor on the excuse of security challenges.
It was, therefore, resolved that a warning letter be given to the contractor by the ministry over their undue delay in the work and that VOP cannot avail as requested.
On the job handled by Develeco Nigeria Limited/HMF Construction Limited, the Governor of Niger State confirmed that Niger State government had taken over the construction of 20km of the road.
Consequently, the Director, Construction & Rehabilitation was directed to write a letter to the contractor based on Section 51 of the Federal Ministry of Works Standard Conditions of Contract, stating that the contract has been descoped by 20km.
On the job by Gerawa Global Engineering Limited, the contractor was commended, but advised to deploy two gangs working from the two ends for faster execution.
