…vows to clampdown on contractors flouting road designs
OSAS EMMANUEL
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government has approved additional road projects to be completed in four years.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, during a meeting with contractors in Abuja.
Umahi, during the meeting, strongly warned against flouting of road designs, even as he vowed to clamp down on contractors shortchanging the Federal Government and Nigerians denying them value for money on road projects.
The Minister said any contractor with four projects will no longer be qualified to bid for any more advertised projects.
He said contractors have overtime cheated the country on thickness of Asphalt on roads.
Umahi also vowed to terminate contract of any contractor that fails to mobilise to site in 14 days to do permanent work.
He added that, henceforth, there is “no mobilisation for any contractor who has not deployed to site.”
“You contractors cheat us on the thickness of asphalt. The bitumen imported are of bad quality and then you start putting enhancer and modifier. We don’t want that again, there is no such thing over seas. Use the type of asphalt used abroad,” he said.
He accused some contractors of sabotaging his efforts to prove that concrete roads are bad to justify Asphalt.
“We are not saying don’t use asphalt, you can use it if you want to but you must do so on the following conditions. We have moved from asking you to give us bank guarantee to just insurance guarantee. This is just to let you know that I want to succeed.
“You must make sure that this asphalt lasts 15 years and concrete design is on 50 years. We have learnt that some of you want to sabotage me to prove that concrete is not good. That is a lie, concrete is very good. Go to Lagos sea port and see what the contractor is doing. Go to my state to see what I did. The roads are still there and very good on concrete.”
Speaking further, the Minister said Asphalt roads will enjoy only five per cent variation.
“Condition number two for use of asphalt is the five per cent variation on price and if you have exhausted your 5 per cent already. You cannot enjoy another five per cent. Inflation on asphalt work is on geometric progression. Price is increasing everyday and there is no money to pay for these increases.”
Stressing the need for concrete roads, he said: “Mr President did concrete road in Lagos and he reminded me about this yesterday. I believe Nigerians will support us on the fact that when you do this asphalt, there should be guarantee on it. So please stop harassing me with price. We have set our prices. Even this morning, the directors met and increased the price. I accepted. The price is only for trunk A. Trunk B and C will not enjoy that price because it is going to be on a different design.”
He also warned contractors against obstructing movement in the name of ongoing road works.
He said contractors will take responsibility for any crashes on their roads due to bad roads.
“We have also directed that at least in every 30 kilometres, there should be minimum equipment of eight dossiers, two graders, four excavators, 20 trailers and other construction equipment in line with active site works operations.
“I have also gotten approval of Mr President to scope our work which means that we are going to be scoping in two or three phases so that we can have free traffic. Nigerians should have one road that is very good.”
