The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a 14-day termination notice to the contractor handling the Enugu-Port Harcourt highway, Messrs China Civil Engineering Construction CECC, over non-performance.
The minister of works, Nweze Dave Umahi, gave the directive yesterday when he inspected the progress of work at Ozuaku, after the Imo Bridge on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
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CCECC is the contractor handling the Abia Section of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Highway currently undergoing rehabilitation.
In a statement signed by the ministry’s director of information, Olusola Abiola, he said Umahi, however, lauded Arab Contractors, handling the rehabilitation of the 56-km Abia State section of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Highway, for the quality of work done.
On the CCECC section of the road, Umahi said, “I have just directed that they issue them a 14-day termination notice using all due process on construction. After 14 days, if they fail to do what we have asked them to do, then we will have to issue a termination notice.
“We will no longer tolerate the situation where contractors will put blank ranks on site. And they will be escalating construction costs by delaying the completion of project date.”
He continued, “And we have reached an agreement in the Ministry of Works that in the coming weeks, all non-performing contracts using due process will be terminated and re-awarded.”
The minister called on contractors to demonstrate commitment, saying, “We let them know the suffering of Nigerians. We are here to help them, and we will do everything to help them.”
Umahi observed further that “the cost of non-completion of this project has a lot to do with contractors. Where contractors stay on projects over and over and pretend, thereafter, they come to request for augmentation every year, refusing to leave the site.”
He however, assured that “we will force them out of site either on the terms of completion or on the terms of termination. This is what we are going to do.”
Stressing the imperative for the ministry to deliver quality and good highways to Nigerians, the minister averred that “ it is very important to appreciate all the efforts of Mr. President who has been providing funds for our road infrastructure projects; which is very, very good.”
Umahi added that despite over 3,000 road projects inherited by this administration, President Tinubu must be commended for providing huge resources for road network, stating, “so it’s kudos to Mr. President and it shows that Mr. President is very, very sensitive to our road infrastructure needs. And so we must do everything to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President, irrespective of or notwithstanding any blackmail.”
He lauded Arab Contractors, the contractor carrying out the ongoing rehabilitation of work on the 56-km Abia State section of the Enugu-Port Harcourt highway, for the quality of the work done.
He said, “The moment a contractor is performing very well, then you are a friend, and that’s the bottom line.”
In the same vein, the minister has described as excellent the job performance of Messrs. CGC Nig. Ltd. handling the Enugu State axis of the dual carriage after his inspection of the roads.
While commending the contractor, consultant, and controller of works for job quality, Umahi praised the contractor for the quality of work and equipment, while requesting that the ongoing work on one section of the highway be completed by the middle of March as agreed.