From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Federal Government, at the weekend, ordered contractors handling various dual road projects across the country to concentrate on one lane first because of paucity of funds, saying that government has up to N14 trillion on-going projects against 18,000 kilometres.
Minister of Works, Engineer Dave Umahi, who said this, at the weekend, in a meeting with contractors handling projects in the North East Geo-political Zone of Nigeria, frowned at situations where some contracts have been on-going for 20 years adding that it was not good for the contractors, not good for the projects and not good for the client.
“We are introducing concrete road technology and some of you are not happy about it. Some are saying it is too expensive but we have to try the both and see which is better.
“In any case, any contractor with an on- going project that is not willing to co-operate with us for a redesign with concrete road technology with 50 years period free of maintenance, we’ll demand for performance bond. The situation and time when roads are built on asphalt and within two to three years the project is back to square one is gone,” he said .
He highlighted the reasons for road failure which, among others, include, poor workmanship from contractors, importation of adulterated bitumen into the country and the laying of less than correct thickness of asphalt.
“Our people were suffering as a result of poor workmanship and all manner of cheating and we have come to solve the perennial problem once and for all.
“We don’t witness this kind of construction pattern in developed countries. You came from developed countries. So, we are going to respect Engineering Best Practices in Nigeria. We will build a road that is going to last,” he said.
The minister, however, disclosed that subsequent signing of certificate would be based on status certificate.
Umahi was delighted to inform the contractors handling projects in the North East Zone of the country not to bother to report him to president because he had already reported himself to him on all issues.
The minister said he is taking instruction directly from the president and he is interested in concrete road technology.
“He has given a teeth to bite and to bite Nigerians into good roads so that they can enjoy. This will be one of the greatest legacies of the president and other legacies he is bringing so that the world will know we are not here for business but we are here for an assignment,” he said.
In a statement, Director (Information), Ministry of Works, Lere-Adams Blessing, said that the minister also stressed that the time has come for all contractors working in Nigeria to ensure that they respect strictly the Global Right Best Practices in Engineering that enhances the durability of all construction work, both for roads and bridges with the best quality of materials being used.
“I had recently met with contractors handling road dualisation projects and my position on the issue is to take one lane and complete it because of paucity of funds, but with the availability of money they could start the second lane. We can manage with one lane instead of not having anything at all” he said.