The Federal Government has warned that contractors handling road projects across the country risk losing their contracts if they fail to show commitment to delivering quality work and meeting project timelines.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, gave the warning during an inspection of the ongoing reconstruction and expansion of the 43.65-kilometre Mararaba-Keffi and Zuba-Kaduna road projects.
He said the government would begin taking action against contractors who have failed to perform despite holding several federal projects.
According to the minister, some companies were awarded as many as 25 contracts before the current administration took office, yet many of the projects have suffered delays.
He stated that contractors who are unwilling to commit resources to projects while awaiting government payments are not helping the country’s development efforts.
Umahi said the Ministry of Works would start reviewing such contracts and remove firms that only mobilise to sites after receiving advance payments.
He noted that some contractors have continued to benefit from government projects for decades without delivering satisfactory results.
The minister also directed officials of the Ministry of Works to ensure that all instructions issued during project inspections are carried out promptly.
He warned that directors, controllers and other supervising officers could face removal from projects if they fail to implement directives.
He stressed that poor performance within the ministry often leads to criticism of the federal government and the President, adding that workers and contractors must take responsibility for their roles in nation-building.
During the inspection, Umahi instructed contractors to stop removing large portions of existing asphalt on the roads.
He explained that only four centimetres of asphalt should be milled before being mixed with a 10-centimetre stone base strengthened with cement. He described excessive removal of asphalt as wasteful and unnecessary.
The minister further directed contractors to install median New Jersey barriers on completed sections of the highways to improve road safety and support the visibility of median lights.
He also ordered proper construction of drainage channels along the roads to prevent water from damaging asphalt surfaces.
According to him, damaged portions of the roads should be excavated and reinforced with sharp sand, stone base and cement to restore their strength.
Umahi said contractors should construct a 10-centimetre slope leading to drainage systems and work together in executing shoulder construction using approved barrier designs.
He also instructed them to begin installing solar-powered streetlights immediately and complete both outer and inner shoulders before carrying out asphalt walkway works.
On highway security, the minister disclosed that the government would soon begin a pilot monitoring scheme expected to be completed within four months.
The initiative will involve the deployment of ICT-based CCTV systems connected through telecommunications networks to enable real-time surveillance of major roads.
He also promised to engage the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to facilitate the release of funds already approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the completion of the projects and payment of contractors.
Umahi commended JRB Construction Company, the firm handling the Mararaba-Keffi road project, describing it as one of the most reliable indigenous contractors working with the Federal Government.
He praised the company’s quality of work, equipment capacity and dedication to intervention projects.
