The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has declared that
contractors to the ministry insisting on using asphalt in road construction,
despite the new directive to use concrete, will face the consequences if the
roads fail within a short time.
The minister stated this while meeting with 46 contractors
handling road projects in the Southeast region as well as four contractors from
the Northeast over the weekend at the ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi,
Abuja.
According to a statement on Sunday evening by the
Information, Press and Public Relations Unit, Blessing Lere-Adams, said Umahi
maintained that under his watch, road construction, starting from design and
actual construction must henceforth meet the needed requirements.
He said, “We will get it right, the time to do a good job is
here, If you were doing a bad job before, this period is not for you. Every 24
hours that I work must be characterised with good and acceptable construction
that will last.”
While reiterating his belief in the use of concrete
technology in road pavement because of its durability and affordability, Umahi
explained that such roads do not also need much maintenance.
He further asked the contractors to decide on the use of
asphalt or concrete but said that if any of them decides to continue the use of
asphalt, then they will sign an undertaking that if the road fails, they will
bear the burden.
“I will challenge you contractors that the use of concrete
technology on our road pavement is the best. The nation is endowed with natural
resources, so we should be prepared for the renewed hope of the present
government that is anchored on change.“
“My instruction is for us to start using concrete
technology, but if you insist on using asphalt, you will sign an undertaking
for me that if the road fails you will bear the burden alone, ’’ the minister
explained.
Umahi went on to encourage the contractors to embrace the
new technology with ease, which he said would help cushion the effect of
dilapidated roads in the Southeast region of the nation because of the terrain
in the area.
Meanwhile, Umahi has explained the reasons for his working
visit to the South-west and other regions of the country in recent times.
“I have been in Lagos and the South-west since to evaluate
the ongoing projects especially bridges that are so important to Lagos economy,
the issue of concrete technology on our roads and review of road contracts.
That is why we are going around to see how we can redesign our roads with
concrete pavement,” he stated.
He made the remarks while meeting with the Deputy Governor
of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who
received him and his team on behalf of the state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
The minister during his visit also explained how Ondo state
could partner with the federal government through the Highway Development
Initiative in building federal roads in the state.
“Most federal roads connect one state to the other and when
they are cut off, the economic viability of such states is in trouble. That is
why I am presenting a memo to the Economic Council to allow us to access funds
to conclude some of these roads and if we don’t conclude them, it will impact
negatively on these states’ economies,” he added.
Earlier, the minister after his assessment of Mayfair
Junction and the Lagere-Iremo –Enuwa- Ilesha by-pass in Osun state, paid a courtesy visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba
Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi. The deputy governor of Ondo state, in his remarks,
earlier described Umahi’s appointment as well deserved, noting that as a former
governor, his antecedents in infrastructural development and governance were
top-notch.
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