The Federal Government yesterday restated its resolve to terminate contracts for road projects not delivered on scheduled dates.
The warning followed an observation by Minister Dave Umahi of slow work pace on major projects in the South-south and Southeast by contractors.
Some of the projects inspected by the minister are Section III (Umuahia-Aba) of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway being handled by Arab Contractors Nig. Ltd., alignment of Section IV of the Aba-Port Harcourt Highway by CCECC and Bodo-Bonny Road by JBN.
Section III (Eleme Junction-Onne Junction) of the East-West Road by RCC, the multiple box culverts on the East-West Road by Rock Result Nig. Ltd, and Section II-II (Ahoada-Kaiama) by Setraco Nig. Ltd. were also inspected by Umahi.
The minister used the opportunity of the projects’ inspection to address concerns about the government’s abandonment of four legacy roads. He clarified that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration had resolved to inaugurate some road projects between next month and May.
Umahi, according to the Director of Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Works, Mohammed Ahmed, directed Federal Controllers of Works to submit lists of completed roads for inauguration.
At Section IV of the Aba-Port Harcourt Highway, Umahi expressed displeasure with CCECC over the slow pace of work.
He instructed the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State to issue a warning to the contractor, saying that the contract would be terminated if no improvements in the tempo of work were noticed.
Umahi also expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of work on the Bodo-Bonny Road and told the contractor to deploy more personnel, materials, and equipment to meet the delivery period.
The project is a vital part of the South-South zone’s infrastructure development, featuring a two-lane road with hard shoulders, 17 bridges spanning 3,200 metres, and reinforced concrete pavement on Bonny Island.
At Section III of the East-West Road, the minister reminded the contractor of the April 2025 delivery date.
He advised RCC to allocate more resources to accelerate the pace of work or risk re-scoping and re-award the contract.
Inspecting the multiple box culverts on the same road, Umahi criticised the slow progress of work.
Although the minister commended the contractor for the high standard of the job so far, he warned that failure to meet the end of the January delivery period would result in revocation.
Umahi expressed satisfaction with the quality of work on Section II-II of Ahoada-Kaiama Road and enjoined the contractor to expedite work by deploying additional resources.