Minister of Works, David Umahi, has expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of construction work on the Eleme-Onne section of the East-West Road in Rivers State.
During an inspection on Tuesday, Senator Umahi ordered the contractor, RCC, to complete the work by December 15, warning that the federal government would not extend the timeline.
Umahi ordered the contractor, RCC, to ensure that the work was completed by December 15 this year, warning that the federal government would not extent the timeline beyond that date.
”On this project of Eleme-Onne, the quality of the work is excellent.
”The pace of the work is totally not acceptable. And let me make it very very clear to the contractor: this project can never be reviewed by a Kobo neither can there be any POP -variation of price -or any other claims on the project.
”You complained of rain but there are a lot of works that could go under the rain. For example, we’ve noticed a number of failures, areas that failed under this carriageway which is Port Harcourt-bound. “
Umahi who regretted that the job, was totally being delayed, told the controller in the area to issue the contractor another letter of warning.
“I’m sure in this project, we have had over ten warning letters to them. These letters will be very very useful if they fail to adhere to the timeline for completion which is 15th of December.
”We will not extend the completion date at all,” he said.
The works minister assured that the funding of the leftover flyover in the phase 1 project would not be a problem, noting that President Bola Tinubu had listed it among the projects that must be completed within record time.
“Let me assure that the leftover flyover in this phase 1 is among what the president directed that should be completed.
”So the funding will not be a problem at all and I am happy the contractor is working despite the news that NNPCL has stopped funding the project because the president directed that none of such should stop,“ he said.
He explained that he was going round the six geo-political zones to ensure that the directive of Mr President was carried out.
Umahi condemned the menace of trailers on the road which he said was not built for heavy-duty vehicles, just as he promised to take up the matter.
“We have a war to wage. Our roads are not designed to carry these heavy trailers that are parking on the road.
”I am going to write to our dear governors to see what they should help us to do about it.
” I will also complain to the inspector – general of police. Let us see what we can do about it.
”Mr President is doing everything possible to right the wrongs in terms of road construction.
”We’re doing quality roads now that are going to last from 50 to 100 years but are being destroyed by ourselves,” he lamented.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Enwerama Tarilade, said they had completed the 15 km Eket-bound right carriageway and had moved to the left carriageway which is Port Harcourt-bound.
She expressed hope that the left carriageway could be completed by December despite disruptions caused by the rains.
