By ABAH ADAH, Abuja
Federal Government has given ultimatum to contractors handling the 10 inherited ongoing projects in Niger State to move to site without further delay and ensure quality and speedy delivery of the projects they contracted to do or risk termination of such contracts.
The harrowing experience of our reporter who travelled to-and-fro the Suleja-Minner, Minner-Kontagora sections of the road in Niger State recently confirms the pitiable state of federal roads in the state.
Minister of Works, Engr Nweze David Umahi gave the “Resume-work or lose-contract charge”, during a meeting in his office in Abuja which had in attendance
the Governor of Niger State, Farmer Mohammed Umar Bago, Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, National Assembly members from Niger State, including the Senate Committee Chairman on Finance, Sen. Mohammed Sani Musa among other stakeholders from the state.
According to a statement signed by his Media and Publicity Aide, Barr. Orji Orji, the Minister expressed displeasure over the attitude of some contractors handling federal roads in Niger State who received various degrees of advance payment but failed or neglected to do the job.
He warned that there would be consequences for contractors who would collect money for projects only to delay or do sub-standard jobs or lack in capacity to deliver the projects in line with the policy direction of the current administration which, according to him, emphasises speed, quality and value for money.
The inherited ongoing federal road projects as listed by the Minister are: 52km Agaje-Katcha-Baro road in Niger State under Contract No: 6254 handled by GR Building and Construction Nig. Ltd; dualization of Suleja – Lambata – Minna Road, Phase I in Niger State Contract No: 6077 handled by Salini Nigeria Ltd; dualisation of Suleja – Lambata – Minna Road, Phase II in Niger State, Contract No: 6267 handled by Salini Nigeria Ltd; dualization of Ilorin, Jebba – Mokwa – Bokani Junction Road Section 1; Jebba – Mokwa – Bokani Junction in Kwara and Niger States handled by CGC Nig. Ltd; dualisation of Ilorin, Jebba – Mokwa – Bokani Junction Road Section II; and Jebba – Mokwa – Bokani Junction in Kwara and Niger States handled by CGC Nig. Ltd.
Others are: reconstruction of Bida – Lapai – Lambatta Road in Niger State Contract No: 6272 handled by CGC Nig. Ltd; rehabilitation of Mokwa – Makera – Tegina – Kaduna State handled by CGC Nig. Ltd; rehabilitation of Minna – Zungeru – Tegina – Kontagora Road in Niger State (Section 2) handled by Gilmor Engineering Nig Ltd; construction of Minna – Zungeru – Tegina Road in Niger State Contract No: 7732 handled by Develeco Nig Ltd/HMF Construction Ltd; and reconstruction of Bida – Cernu – Wushishi – Zungeru Road in Niger State, phase I C/No 8492 handled by Gerawa Global Engineering Ltd.
Speaking, the Governor of Niger State expressed concern that the failure of the contractor in living up to expectation in jobs awarded to them had adversely affected the socio-economic condition of the citizens and the state and was adding impetus to the security challenges encountered by the state, calling for revocation of the contract handled by Salini Nig. Ltd, which was awarded in 2010, for lack of capacity.
In his remarks, the Minister of State, Goronyo, praised the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Works in changing the narrative in the construction industry and expressed hope that its resilience would return Nigeria’s road infrastructure trajectory to the path of progress.
Among the resolutions reached at the meeting, according to statement, were that:
In the case of the contract handled by GR Building and Construction Nig Ltd, their impressive work was noted and it was resolved that efforts would be made to provide funds for the project through the 2025 appropriation to enable them fast-track the job.
In the matter of the jobs handled by Salini Nig. Ltd, there was consensus by stakeholders that the contractor has shown manifest lack of capacity going by the sub-standard jobs noticed in the two sections of their job and it was resolved 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 while the Director, Legal Services was asked to issue to the contractor a notice of contract termination.
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 Nig. Ltd, 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 VOP.
For the request of CGC Nig. Ltd on their second job, It was resolved that no further quantities would be approved in their favour, but Variation on Price, VoP, could avail.
On the Reconstruction of Bida-Lapai-Lambatat road, CGC was commended for a good job and for offering Corporate Social Responsibility services to the host community, but was advised to revisit and repair areas of the road that are folding.
It also noted that a feedback process was initiated, and it is hoped that there would be a meeting in January 2025 to appraise the performance of the contracts in Niger State.
