The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has instructed all contractors working on the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi-Okpella-Okene-Lokoja road to start rehabilitation work immediately or risk having their contracts terminated.
Umahi gave this warning during his inspection of the project sites in Edo State over the weekend.
The statement was released by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji.
The Minister revealed that the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration, has provided funds to contractors working on federal projects. He cautioned that contractors who do not mobilize and start work on the projects will have their contracts terminated and their companies blacklisted.
Following a meeting with Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, the Minister expressed frustration with the contractors’ delays despite the timely release of funds by the FG.
Regarding the recent protest by residents along the Jattu axis of the Benin-Auchi highway, which caused disruptions in traffic flow, the Minister stated that his meeting with the Governor aimed to discuss solutions to address the issues hindering progress in the area.
“I have had a very serious meeting with the Governor here. We are concerned about what is happening between Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi-Okpella and the axis of Kogi State.
“That is what we have been brainstorming on. I have worked with him throughout last night to direct that the road should be unblocked, and if you see the grievances of those people you will not blame them so much, because people are dying, trucks are falling,” he said.
Governor Obaseke expressed gratitude to the Minister for his dedication to improving road infrastructure in Nigeria.
He promised full support from his administration for the concrete technology initiative introduced by the Renewed Hope administration, which he believes is the ideal model for road infrastructure in the East West region and beyond.
“First, let me thank my brother and very good friend, the Honourable Minister of Works, who you know is an engineer par excellence, for the concern he has shown. Same time last year when I cried for help ahead of the rainy season, we didn’t get this kind of response.
“We shall not continue to use expensive asphalt to do our roads. We should use sustainable local materials; we produce cement and steel, there is no reason we cannot begin to move towards utilizing more concrete in building our roads for sustainability so that our roads can last longer,” he stated.
