FROM SAMSON ALFA,MINNA
Minister of Works, David Umahi, yesterday, summoned contractors handling the construction of federal roads in Niger State to explain the slow pace of work.
Umahi, who decried the deplorable condition of Abuja-Minna and Abuja-Lapai-Bida roads, said he did not see any construction work done by the contractors handling the projects.
“I deliberately travelled by road from Abuja to see the condition of the roads and attend a stakeholders engagement on the construction of the 125km three-lane single carriageway of the Niger State component of the 1068km Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, but did not see any work done by Salini Nigeria Limited, the construction company that handled the project,” Umahi said.
According to him, “federal roads in Niger State are in a terrible condition. I am very happy to see it and I want Nigerians to see that this is just a tip of the iceberg of the inherited projects of Mr President. We have worst situations in some states.”
Umahi explained that President Tinubu’s administration inherited 2,604 projects costing N13 trillion as at that time it came on board, while certified project debts to contractors was about N1.6 trillion.
“After we reviewed those projects with the realities on ground, they stood at over N19 trillion.
“I was very happy that I came through the road and I thank my permanent secretary.
“What I saw on that road was disturbing. It was said to have been completed 84.5 percent and even paid for, and I was forced to stop and ask where do we start counting this 84.5 percent? And they could not tell us. So nothing was done.
“I have resolved to take a decisive action on that road; all the contractors are to report in my office this week Friday. There is no way we can allow a project to be as old as 14 years and the contractor is receiving annual budget. I don’t envy Salini, but he always receives money and goes back, yet nothing is being done to complete the road,” the minister lamented.
Earlier, Governor Mohammed Bago condemned the poor state of Abuja-Minna federal road, describing Salini Nigeria Limited as a failed construction firm.
He called on the minister to revoke all the road contracts that the company is handling in the state and give them to Hytech and CCEC.
According to the governor, “With all indications, Salini is a failed company and they don’t have capacity. I am calling on you (the minister ) to give Messers Hytech and CCEC. That of Suleja-Minna should also be revoked and given to Hytech and CCECC. These companies have proven and shown capacity,” Bago emphasised.
