The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, has made public plans by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to construct/ rehabilitate a total of 5,500km of roads across the 36 states of the federation and Abuja, in 2024.
To achieve this goal, the minister said the President has graciously approved the release of 50 percent of funds required for the payment for parliatives projects.
Umahi said this at a meeting with Directors of the Ministry as well as contractors handling various road projects across the country, in Abuja, on Thursday.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser (Media), to the Minister,
Barrister Orji Uchenna Orji.
Orji quoted the Minister as charging contractors handling projects under the Ministry to brace themselves for the standard of work and delivery time frame required of each of them under the Renewed Hope administration.
According to him, “The Honourable Minister emphasized that going forward, contractors must take into account the plight of Nigerians and the Renewed Hope Initiatives on road infrastructure development in executing their projects.
“He maintained that the Ministry of Works means business and would not take excuses from contractors.
“ He assured them that the Ministry would consider the review of contracts previously consumated in line with set parameters and prevailing economic situations, and that all generated certificates would be verified and paid accordingly, while urging them to ensure that all issues of contract variations were brought to the notice of the relevant departments of the Ministry. He thanked Mr. President for the prompt release of funds for palliatives works.”
Orji also quoted Umahi as saying, ”The Bureau of Public Procurement has approved over 80 percent of requests for palliative projects.
“Those who indicated interest in the palliative project should please come to the Ministry to collect award letters and complete documentation. Mr. President has graciously released 50 percent of funds on palliative work, and so he wants to see action in all the 36 States and Abuja.”
The minister’s aide also explained that his principal used the opportunity to announce the re-organization of the supervision structure for the Special Projects across the nation and introduced a special mechanism for tracking of certificates generated by contractors and expressed hope that with the new initiative under the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President, “each State of the Federation would record not less than 150km roads in the Federal roads network in the year 2024, in addition to the special road projects funded through different extra budgetary platforms.”
Earlier in his remarks, the representative of the Permanent Secretary and Director Highway, Bridges and Design, Engr. Awosanya Onatuga, stated that the meeting was agenda setting for the year 2024, and the essence was to take the task of performance that would help them move the Works sub-sector forward in accordance with the innovative plans of Federal Government.
He expressed gratitude to the Minister for the relief given to road users toward the Christmas and New Year seasons.
Onatuga said, "We can say we did very well towards the end of last year. There were no adverse reports on any blockage, people sleeping on the road. Yes, we have not done so much; we are not where we are supposed to be, but with the spirit of the Hon Minister, the can-do spirit, and it's not slowing down, we are on the right track.”
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