FG Raises Concern On Benin- Ekpoma-Auchi- Lokoja Road. … Gives a Marching Order to Contractors to Justify the funds released or risk termination.

Emmanuel lkpeama.

The Federal Government has sent a red signal to all the contractors handling the Benin- Ekpoma- Auchi- Okpella- Okene- Lokoja road to immediately commence accelerated work on the rehabilitation of the road or face termination of their contracts.
This directive was handed over to the contractors by the Hon. Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi during his inspection visit to the various project sites in Edo State on 9th March 2024.

The Hon. Minister who stated that the Federal Government under the renewed hope administration of His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu had released funds to the contractors handling the federal roads project,warned that contractors who fail to fully mobilize and commence immediate rehabilitation works on the projects would have their contracts terminated and such contractors will be blacklisted

The Minister who used the opportunity to meet with the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, described as unacceptable the delay of the contractors in fully mobilizing to site and effectively commencing rehabilitation work despite Mr. President’s prompt release of funds to them for the projects.

He urged the people of Edo state to exercise patience as government is making serious plans to ensure that the renewed hope of Mr President is not thwarted.

“I have had a very serious meeting with the Governor here. We are concerned about what is happening between Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi- Okpella and the axis of Kogi State. That is what we have been brainstorming on. I have worked with him throughout last night to direct that the road should be unblocked, and if you see the grievances of those people you will not blame them so much, because people are dying, and trucks are falling “

Responding, the Governor thanked the Hon. Minister of Works for his deep sense of commitment to the development of road infrastructure in Nigeria.

Read also:FG Commences Construction of 700 KM Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road And Maintenance of Critical Bridges in Lagos.

He assured of the unwavering support of his administration to the concrete technology initiative introduced by the renewed hope administration, which he said was the best model for the road infrastructure along the East West and indeed parts of the country.

“First, let me thank my brother and very good friend, the Honourable Minister of Works, who you know is an engineer par excellence, for the concern he has shown. Some time last year when I cried for help ahead of the rainy reason, we didn’t get this kind of response, but today Senator Umahi has harped on the need to remove encumbrances to the construction of enduring road infrastructure in Nigeria.”

“We shall not continue to use expensive asphalt to do our roads. We should use sustainable local materials; we produce cement and steel, there is no reason why we can not begin to move towards utilizing more concrete in building our roads for sustainability so that our roads can last longer.’he submitted.

Highlight of the inspection was the the Hon. Minister inspecting the Lokoja – Benin Road Dualization Projects, section IV: Benin – Ehor road in Edo State handled by RCC Nig. Ltd; the section III: Ehor – Auchi in Edo State handled by Dantata & Sawoe Nig. Ltd; and the section II: Auchi – Okene in Edo/Kogi States handled by Mothercat Nig. Ltd.