FG threatens contractors over delay in completing Enugu-Onitsha road
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President Bola Tinubu’s administration has ordered contractors handling the 107km Enugu-Onitsha road dualisation to accelerate work on the project.
During an inspection tour of key federal road projects in Enugu with governor Peter Mbah, Umahi expressed disappointment with the prolonged blockage of parts of the Enugu-Onitsha expressway by the contractor, which has caused unnecessary hardship for road users.
He noted that over 3km of the road at the Abakpa sections have been blocked by RCC, the sub-contractor of MTN.
In a statement on Friday, the minister said, “Let me express my disappointment over the slow pace of work on that project. It is one of the worst roads in this country.
“Everywhere we have diversion; diverting from the one that RCC and Nigercat had completed, the contractors are not kind enough to even put stone based on the diversion points
“So, by the reason of the launching of our Operation Free our Roads, it is now a violation of the policy on the side of the controllers and directors of the Federal Ministry of Works where we have vehicles falling on any project that is ongoing or where there are potholes on our roads.”
Also, he blamed the sufferings of road users on the lack of commitment and insensitivity of the contractors.
“The public must know that the President’s intention is not for them to suffer while trying to fix the roads, and it is their right to insist that contractors should fix the roads that they are engaged on,” he said.
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Speaking further, Umahi hailed Enugu state government for their resolve to fund the construction of a 20km section of the road and expressed hope that MTN would execute the second phase of the project.
He noted, “Why the Enugu State government is intervening is because of the slow pace of work by the contractors and because of funding issues. The essence of tax credit is for funds to be made available. And so, I don’t see RCC going to keep their promise to finish this project in 6 months.
“My advice to MTN is to look for another contractor within that axis if they want to get the job done. Division of labour is even the best. While they are doing the road, and if Nigercat is doing a good job, you can give them greater scope to do if you want to finish that job.”
Senator Umahi however, warned contractors that the federal government would not accept phased handovers of projects and has phased out Variation of Price in contract administration.
