The Federal Government has given contractors handling 260 emergency projects a three-month deadline to complete their work or face termination.
This directive was issued by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, during a meeting with contractors in Abuja.
The emergency road projects were included in the 2023 supplementary budget to fix critical federal roads that have completely failed. Umahi emphasized the importance of these projects in restoring the usability of affected roads across the country.
In a statement by his special adviser, Barr Orji Uchenna Orji, Umahi identified about 37 contractors who have not made significant progress since their contracts were awarded. He warned, “They must mobilize to the sites tomorrow or face contract termination.”
“If any contractor fails to comply after the deadline for mobilization to the sites, the job shall be terminated by the expiration of time as the contract is for a three-month period,” Umahi said. “Any contractor whose job has stayed for more than three months without completion after the issuance of an award letter must seek and obtain approval for an extension of time from the Federal Ministry of Works.”
Most of the defaulting contractors are handling emergency road projects in states like Yobe, Jigawa, Zamfara, Benue, Kogi, Abia, Anambra, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers. Umahi warned that no excuses such as security challenges or lack of mobilization funds would be accepted.
“The people are suffering, and the president is having sleepless nights in his efforts to fix our road infrastructure to help our economy,” Umahi said. “People will be given jobs, and they are telling us stories. There have been jobs awarded by this ministry in the past and money paid, and the contractors would hold the money, and they would say it’s a security problem. Didn’t you know about the security situation before you got the job?”
Umahi directed federal controllers of works to ensure proper supervision of the projects. They should be fully aware of the contract details, including the amount, date of award, timeline, review date, extension of time, augmentation granted, and whether the contractor is on site.
The Permanent Secretary, Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, also addressed the contractors, stating, “The period has gone when contractors were taking the country for granted, could afford to delay job delivery for years after collecting mobilization, and would keep feeding on the VOP.” He urged contractors to adopt the new spirit of “Nigeria first,” introduced by the Federal Ministry of Works under the Renewed Hope administration of the President.
