The Federal Government of Nigeria has openly criticized road project contractors for their failure to meet project deadlines, which has led to developmental setbacks and significant inconvenience for citizens.
Inspection Tour Highlights Issues
During an inspection tour in Rivers State, Minister of Works Dave Umahi voiced his frustration. His visit to the Ahoada Section of the East-West Road was particularly telling. Here, he criticized contractors Setraco and Rock Result for what he described as unprofessional conduct and a lack of commitment to the project’s timely completion.
Umahi’s Stern Warnings
Umahi warned that he would sanction any contractors not fulfilling their obligations. He was particularly harsh on the slow pace of work, accusing the contractors of playing politics with the project despite having received payments. He emphasized the absence of essential project documents like drawings and Bills of Quantities, questioning how projects could progress without proper oversight from ministry staff.
Quality vs. Timeliness
While Umahi acknowledged the quality of work from both Rock Result and Setraco, he highlighted that the delay was unacceptable. He announced immediate actions against Rock Result, including blocking payment certificates and issuing a 7-day notice, with threats of contract termination if progress wasn’t made on the first carriage of the road.
Julius Berger’s Bodo/Bonny Road Project
The Minister also addressed the Bodo/Bonny Road project, setting a firm deadline of September 2025 for its completion. He noted that Julius Berger, despite receiving 85% of the contract sum (N199 billion), had significantly delayed the project, even leading to a breach of contract when they demobilized without notice.
Commitment to National Development
Umahi praised President Bola Tinubu for his dedication to improving infrastructure across Nigeria, particularly highlighting efforts in the Niger Delta. His visit also included the Eleme/Ogoni segment of the East-West Road, where he commended the contractor RCC for quality but again criticized the pace, setting a new deadline for April for partial commissioning of the project.
Potential Contract Revocation
The minister made it clear that any further delay would result in contract revocation, emphasizing the suffering of Nigerians due to these delays. The tour was attended by staff from the Federal Ministry of Works and other stakeholders, indicating a collaborative approach to resolving these issues.
