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•Accuses directors of collaborating with contractors to jerk up contract fees
From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
The Federal Government yesterday, expressed dissatisfaction over the poor jobs done by contractors over the years, saying that no project in Nigeria can last up to seven years.
Addressing contractors from the six geo-political zones in Abuja, Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, accused the directors of collaborating with contractors to do shoddy jobs.
He directed contractors to redesign their projects to concrete project rather than asphalt, vowing not to pay any contractor who fails to deliver according to specifications.
According to the minister, if the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration does not kill bureaucracy in the ministries, he will fail. “We must kill bureaucracy and destroy the way things are done” he said. He said that the controllers will no longer send his certificate to him but must do that through their directors so that they (contractors) will equally be culpable.
Umahi accused the directors of helping contractors to jerk up contract fees saying that if any contractor fails he would write to COREN to withdraw his certificate. For his part, he must ensure that he is prosecuted. Consequently, he directed the Permanent Secretary to recall all the controllers to be retrained and should any of them fails the test would be retired.
Umahi told the controllers to begin to maintain and supervise his projects henceforth because they have long shortchanged Nigerians.
The minister stressed the need for transparency and adherence to contract terms. He questioned the unauthorised additional work undertaken by contractors and urged them to obtain proper authorisation to avoid getting into trouble with him. He emphasised the importance of thorough documentation and clearance procedures, making it clear that contracts would not be signed without the necessary design plans and original road blueprints. Umahi noted that some roads are riddled with potholes which have now degenerated into ‘boreholes’ and expressed concerns about the safety hazards such roads pose.
The Minister also castigated the entire construction industry in Nigeria, lamenting that lack of professionalism and outdated construction methods are part of the reasons for the poor conditions of the road. He outlined the need for modern construction techniques, and adherence to safety standards.
Umahi reminded contractors of their responsibilities and their accountability in the eyes of the law. He warned against mismanagement of contracts and hinted of potential legal consequences for those who failed to meet their obligations.
