The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has issued a stern warning to major construction companies, Julius Berger, China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC), and Raynolds Construction Company (RCC), to mobilize to their project sites immediately or face the termination of their contracts.
Speaking during the Stakeholders’ Engagement on the Alignment of Sections 3b and 4 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway held at Ibom Hall, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Umahi stated the government’s frustration with the contractors’ delays.
He stated that after the expiration of the 14-day notice period next week, any contractor that fails to mobilize will have their contract terminated.
Minister Umahi stated that the excuses given by the contractors, primarily regarding non-payment of compensation, were no longer valid as the Akwa Ibom State government had resolved these issues concerning the Calabar-Itu road.
He said, “If you talk to them, they will say it is because of compensation and this governor, Akwa Ibom State, had settled compensation issues, so we are giving them a marching order to CCECC to mobilize at least 3 sections of that road.”
He further noted that President Bola Tinubu had provided sufficient funds for these projects. “The same thing with Julius Berger, by the end of this coming week, if Julius Berger fails to remobilize to the site and the CCECC fails to mobilize to at least 3 sections of the road, the jobs will be terminated,” Umahi asserted.
Minister Umahi expressed particular concern over the state of the Akwa Ibom to Cross River road through Itu and Odukpani, labeling it as the worst in the entire South-South region. He criticized RCC for their lack of progress despite receiving substantial funds.
“RCC had collected over N40bn on that road, 15 kilometres of roads, N156bn inherited from the past administration, they are playing tricks.
We have been on them to change their mindset, and by the end of next week, our 14 days notice of termination of the contract will elapse, and we will terminate the projects and give them to those who have mastery of laying concrete,” he said.
During the meeting, Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged the state governor, Umo Eno, and other stakeholders to cooperate fully with the contractors once the project resumes.
He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for ensuring the Coastal Highway project includes Akwa Ibom State and for committing to concurrent construction with the Lagos section for timely completion.
Governor Umo Eno confirmed that his administration had paid the necessary compensation for the Calabar-Itu road and pledged full support, including security and logistics, to ensure the project’s completion within the scheduled time frame.
