NGUZU, Nigeria — Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, laid down the law for federal contractors on Thursday, September 7, 2023, stating unequivocally that no government-awarded project should last more than four years.
The announcement came during an inspection tour of federal projects in Ebonyi State’s Edda Local Government Area.
Umahi minced no words in warning contractors, announcing that any contractor who fails to complete projects within the prescribed timeline will face sanctions.
“No project should last more than four years. There is a need to review the project,” he declared.
Concrete vs. Asphalt
The Minister also urged contractors working in Ebonyi to consider switching to concrete technology to finish the remaining parts of their projects.
“Use of concrete is not cast on stone. First is the stability of the road,” he noted.
Umahi emphasized that concrete roads would outlive those built with asphalt, citing the case of the Amasiri-Ekoli-Nguzu road, a concrete structure built seven years ago during his tenure as governor, which he said remains in excellent condition.
“Like in the north you can do asphalt, but that is not to say that concrete cannot be used. If asphalt will last for ten years, concrete will last for 50 years,” he stressed.
The Quest for Transparency
The Minister also took the opportunity to delve into the issue of project cost augmentation, a hot topic that has drawn scrutiny from the National Assembly.
“I have directed all the regional directors to work with my team of consultants to review all the projects that are having augmentations,” Umahi said.
He explained that his aim is not to probe but to acquire the knowledge necessary to answer important questions.
“For example, the National Assembly recently met me; they are investigating why the Abuja to Kaduna Kano, Zaria road, which was initially N155 billion, became N655 billion. I partly know why, but then I want to fully know why so that I can face them and defend it,” Umahi elaborated.
Umahi concluded by making it clear that he aims to be able to account for every Naira spent on projects.
“It is not a probe, I seek knowledge. I want to be able to answer to Mr. President, the national assembly, the masses, and the media, and defend whatever augmentation that is right,” he said.
Umahi’s declarations come at a time when many are questioning the efficacy of federal projects and their associated costs, making his strong stance on timely and quality completion a potentially transformative shift in Nigeria’s infrastructural landscape.
