Umahi Criticizes Contractor After Flood Washes Away Repaired Federal Road

Minister Umahi criticizes the contractor after a flood washes away a newly repaired federal road, questioning the quality of work done.

His media aide, Orji Uchenna Orji, released a statement wherein Umahi expressed sorrow over the short lifespan of finished road constructions in Nigeria. He observed that numerous projects fail to endure beyond five years.

According to Umahi, a team of experts from the Ministry has been dispatched to evaluate the destruction on location and develop a sustainable resolution for the impacted roadway.

Additionally, he disclosed that Dantata & Sawoe Ltd’s contract for section 1 of Kano-Maiduguri road granted in 2007 had expired due to its duration.

Umahi stated that he has directed the Director of Highway Rehabilitation to partner with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and promptly send out a technical team to assess the situation.

He expressed regret that despite contractors finishing their work, they tend to revert back within a few years making it an unfortunate occurrence.

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“I have always been against the current one-year liability period,” he stated firmly. “A shoddy job may last a year, but it is unlikely to withstand five years of wear and tear. As such, we will be enlisting Mothercart Ltd., our contractor, in determining why there are fissures on the road as reported earlier today.”

Umahi highlighted the importance of reassessing the liability duration for all federal government projects to guarantee efficiency and longevity, during a performance review meeting with Dangote Group, BUA Group, and Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd.

These companies are engaged in road initiatives under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.

In addition, he emphasized the advancements accomplished in financing essential ventures via the Tax Credit Scheme and encouraged contractors to accelerate their efforts on continuous projects, specifically those situated along important economic routes.

Going forward, Umahi disclosed that arrangements would be made regarding milestone achievements and schedules for all undertakings carried out under this tax credit initiative.