The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has issued a stern warning to the contractor responsible for the rehabilitation of the Abia section of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Highway.
In a statement released on Sunday by the Ministry of Works’ Director of Information, Olusola Abiola, Umahi gave the contractor, Messrs China Civil Engineering Construction, a 14-day ultimatum to meet performance expectations or face termination.
Umahi emphasized the government’s commitment to quality infrastructure and declared that substandard work would not be tolerated. He stated, “We will no longer accept shabby jobs done by contractors,” highlighting the ministry’s determination to hold contractors accountable for their performance.
Abiola reiterated Umahi’s stance, affirming that the ministry had exhausted due process in dealing with the contractor’s performance issues. He stated, “After 14 days, if they fail to do what we have asked them to do, then we will have to do the termination notice.”
The ministry underscored its commitment to delivering high-quality highways to the Nigerian people and expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for funding road infrastructure projects. Umahi praised the president’s dedication to addressing the country’s infrastructure needs and called for support for his agenda.
The statement also outlined plans for the termination and re-awarding of non-performing contracts in the coming weeks, signaling a firm stance against delays and substandard work by contractors.
The ultimatum issued by the Minister of Works underscores the government’s determination to ensure timely completion and high standards in infrastructure projects, particularly on critical highways like the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway.