Minister of Works, David Umahi, has vowed to make a positive change in road infrastructure development in the South Eastern states of the federation.
Umahi maintained that there is no evidence of any notable road construction in the Southeast for a very long time
“We will get it right; the time to do a good job is here. If you were doing a bad job before, this period is not for you. We must work 24 hours to do a good and acceptable construction that will last.”
The minister advocated the use of concrete technology in road pavement because it is durable, affordable, and can last without much maintenance, urging contractors to decide on the use of Asphalt or concrete.
He, therefore, maintained that the Federal Government would continue to use them, stressing that they will sign an undertaking that if the roads fail, the contractor will bear the burden.
MEANWHILE, the Minister of Works, have been enjoined to adhere to approvals granted by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
A section of aggrieved contractors of the ministry, led by Vitalis Chikwendu, accused Umahi of deliberate attempts to frustrate the realisation of President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda by stalling the progress of work through non-payment.
They alleged that Umahi has concluded plans to tamper with contracts already awarded by FEC under the guise of review, insisting that the minister’s motive was to re-award some of the contracts to himself or close cronies.
The contractors accused the minister of stalling the progress of work by deliberately refusing to treat files, sidelining civil servants who have institutional memory.
