The Federal Government has terminated the contract for Section 1 of the Kano-Maiduguri road project, initially awarded to Dantata & Sawoe Ltd in 2007.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced that the termination was due to the contract’s expiration time, reflecting the government’s commitment to ensuring that long-standing infrastructure projects are completed on time and deliver value for money.
Additionally, the government assured Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed of immediate intervention to repair a flood-damaged section of the Kano-Maiduguri federal road within the state.
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The road, recently severed by floodwaters after heavy rainfall, has left the local Malori-Guskuri community in Katagun Local Government Area isolated and severely impacted their livelihoods.
During a performance review meeting on road projects under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme held on August 9, 2024, in Abuja, Minister Umahi met with representatives from Dangote Group, BUA Group, and Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd.
He revealed the government’s intention to revisit and revise the liability period for all federal projects to ensure durability and optimal value for public funds.
According to a statement from the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Uchenna Orji, Minister Umahi emphasized the need to accelerate the completion of critical infrastructure projects, particularly those funded under the Tax Credit Scheme, which includes major roadways vital to the nation’s economy.
“Moving forward, there will be clear agreements on milestone completion timelines for ongoing projects under the Tax Credit Scheme,” Umahi stated. “As Minister of Works, my stance is that everyone must take responsibility. We will no longer tolerate delays in projects we have awarded and even reviewed.”
The Minister highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of Nigerians caused by poor road conditions, stressing that the government would not tolerate delays in completing vital infrastructure projects.
“Nigerians are suffering on these roads, and President Bola Tinubu is doing everything possible to address the issue, giving the road sector special attention. It would be a failure on our part to allow contractors to delay these projects while ignoring the people’s suffering,” he emphasized.
Umahi called for greater dedication from all parties involved, including funding partners, urging Nigerians to remain patient and underscoring the importance of partnership and patriotism in supporting the President’s vision for national development.
“We must all play our part to support the President’s divine vision to reclaim our country,” he urged.
The Minister cited several ongoing projects under the Tax Credit Scheme that have experienced delays due to outdated pricing structures. These projects are currently under review to expedite their completion. Among the entities involved in the Tax Credit Scheme are Dangote Group, BUA Group, Mainstream Energy Solutions, and MTN Nigeria, each with various projects across the country.
To address the flood damage in Bauchi State, the Minister directed a technical team from the Ministry of Works to assess the damage and propose an emergency solution to restore access and alleviate the hardships faced by the affected communities.
“It’s unfortunate that when a job is completed by contractors, we don’t even enjoy the road for five years before we’re back to square one. This is why I’ve been advocating against the one-year liability period; poorly executed jobs can last a year, but not five,” he said.
Umahi also directed Mothercart Ltd, the original contractor for the damaged section, to join the assessment team and determine why the road failed.
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The Minister commended Dangote Plc for its efforts on the Apapa-Oworonshoki Expressway, the Lekki-Deep Seaport road, and Nnamdi Azikiwe road in Kaduna, and praised BUA for its work on the Lokoja-Benin Highway at Ekpoma.
He urged Mainstream Energy Solutions to accelerate their efforts on their respective projects as the government pushes for the swift completion of critical infrastructure.
Umahi reassured the public that the government remains committed to ensuring that Nigerians see tangible benefits from these investments, making the nation’s roads safer and more reliable to contribute to the country’s economic growth.
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