FG to pay road contractors N431billion, demands 10-year guarantee for projects

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works, says it has N431 billion ready for contractors.

During a meeting with road dualisation project contractors and zonal directors, Minister of Works David Umahi revealed this information at the ministry’s office in Abuja on Thursday.

The minister also announced the ministry’s intention to focus on most roads that need upgrading.

Umahi said he had also developed a performance bond, meaning all new projects would be guaranteed for ten years.

He said, “Why we are here now is to announce our intention to face most of the dualised roads in the country.

“I want to remind you that Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation is funding 50 per cent of the contract sum, and that funding goes up to 2025.

“We have N431bn of money ready for contractors to clear but no certificate for it. If you are doing a job under Phase 1, make an effort to make claims; if your job involves augmentation, go back to your regional director for understanding before I sign the certificate.

“Any certificate I sign now, I have to take account for it even when I have leave office.”

Speaking through the Director of Information, Press and Public Relations Unit, Blessing Lere-Adams, Umahi, further urged the contractors to stick to one lane if their job had stayed within 50% completion.

He urged all contractors that had built roads that could not last up to 10 years to write to the ministry to either stop work or rebuild the road to last ten years.

The minister warned contractors that he would not hear stories of road failures due to overloading.

Umahi encouraged the contractors to collaborate with him in constructing roads using concrete technology, similar to what has been done in India and Singapore. He also urged them to align with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President’.