By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
David Umahi, Minister of Works, has reached a mutual agreement with the contractors handling the rehabilitation of Lokoja- Shintaku – Dekina – Anyigba road and the reconstruction of Okene – Ajaokuta – Itobe dual carriageway in Kogi State.
As part of efforts to build effective roadmap to the funding and delivery of ongoing projects inherited from previous administrations.
A statement by Orji Uchenna Orji,
Special Adviser (Media) indicates the Minister frowned at the delay of the contractors in achieving the key deliverables of the projects within the timelines and financial resources made available by the federal government.
On the contract for the rehabilitation of Okene- Ajaokuta – Itobe carriageway in Kogi State handled by CCECC Nig Ltd, he noted that the project was awarded in 2022 with a length of 52.27km but the contractor has only achieved 1.97% completion (binder) on one alignment despite receiving ₦2.5 Billion advance payment. He therefore directed the Director Highway North Central to issue a warning letter to the contractor, to within 30 days, resume work on the site (using the old rate) to achieve a milestone that is commensurate with the money they received, after which the balance of the job yet to be done would be mutually terminated to enable the Ministry procure the remaining section of the project for enhanced funding and execution.
On the contract for the rehabilitation of Lokoja- Shintaku – Dekina – Anyigba road with a spur from Dekina to Ugbabo in Kogi State, handled by TEC Engineering Company Nig Ltd, the Minister noted that the contract was awarded in 2022 but recorded only 1.04% completion despite receiving ₦1 Billion as advance payment. It was directed that the contractor should lay 3km asphalt by December 2025 after which a final account would be made based on the milestone completed and the job would be terminated on mutual basis. It was further directed that the assessment for the funds already released shall be based on the old rate while the assessment for the funds to be accessed under the year 2025 budget shall be based on the new rate. The Minister also directed that the consultancies for both contracts be mutually terminated pending when a new contract is procured on the projects.
