The Federal Government has cautioned contractors handling the Abuja-Lokoja highway project, threatening to revoke the contract if work on the critical road is not significantly accelerated.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, gave the warning during an inspection tour of the ongoing reconstruction project om Saturday in Abuja.
Umahi commended the contractor for the quality of work but frowned at the slow pace of work.
He explained that contractors would be paid for jobs done based on milestone completion and those who could not meet up the Federal Government targets would get their contracts revoked and given to those who could deliver.
“We are going to agree on what you can finish in the next one year, and we will agree on milestone completion. If you complete from here to here, you get paid.
“For those who cannot meet up, we will divide their jobs and give to those who can.
“We are giving you an advance notice, and the advance notice is that you should start another gang.
“If I come again in the month of November, and the thing is still like this, I will discontinue the job. The quality of the job is excellent, the pace of the work is nonsense.”
Umahi said that the amount for the third section of the road inspected was N56 billion for 53 kilometers, and the job has to be completed in April 2026.
He explained that it was to be done on asphalt, but the contractor decided to do concrete at the same price upon realisation that it is a better option.
Speaking at another section of the road,umahi commended the quality of work being done.
He said the Federal Government decided to use an indigenous contractor for the job to build content and they were doing a good work.
“The other section of the route, which is about 86 kilometers, is also being procured and if this contractor increases his pace of work, we will ask him to join the contractors that we bid for that one.
” If it is for quality, we give him 99.9 per cent. But he should increase the pace. We know we are owing him that is why it is a bit slow.
“We will pay him within the next 30 days. We are surprising with payment.
“I encourage our indigenous contractors so that they can compete with the expatriates and they are not only competing on the house, they are beating a number of expatriates.”
He commended the Governor and people of Kogi State for their cooperation.
Minister of State for Works Bello Goronyo,commended President Bola Tinubu for being highly passionate about road projects.
“This project is one of the priority projects of the President. I also want to commend the President for allowing NNPC projects to be diverted to renewed hope so that the project will continue.
“The result is here for everybody to see. We are not staying in our comfort zones. We left our offices for inspection.
“So my appeal to the contractors handling this project, is to double your effort. Deliver this project on time, because we will not accept any excuse.
“The money is there, and of course, there is a time for completion of this project,”he said.
According to Goronyo, Nigerians are yearning for good roads and infrastructure, and the President is committed and he is funding the projects and appealed to Nigerians to continue to show solidarity.
Also speaking, the Governor Ahmed Ododo,represented by the Commission for Works Kogi State; Mohammed Yusuf commended President Bola Tinubu for infrastructure development.
“Our road is highly in bad condition. We cannot achieve a greater height in terms of economic development without accessibility. That is why we are always praying for the president of the nation, Bola Tinubu, including you because you have very vast experience in the engineering sector.”