Umahi Warns Lagos-Calabar Highway Contractors Against Delay

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has warned that any contractor that is unserious with any Federal Government road project will have his contract terminated and awarded to other contractors.

Umahi gave the warning on Saturday during a stakeholders engagement on the alignment of Sections 3B and 4 of the Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway project, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital.

The minister assured the people of President Tinubu’s commitment to the successful completion of the project.

He said that out of the total span of 700km,  27Km of Section 3b and 80 km of Section 4, totalling 107 km, fall within Akwa Ibom state boundaries, being the 4th longest portion of the entire coastal highway within a single state.

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“We use this opportunity to warn CCECC, out of 35 kilometres, they just completed 2.5 kilometres double carriage way and 4.5 on single; that is very terrible. You talk to them, they say it is because of compensation,” Umahi said.

“Our dear governor (Pastor Umo Eno) has since settled the compensation issue, so we have given them a marching order to mobilise to at least three sections of the road. Mr President has given enough money to fund the project; the same thing with Julius Berger.”

Umahi gave the contractors marching orders to mobilise to the site, saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had released sufficient funds for the projects.

“By the end of this coming week, if Julius Berger fails to remobilise to site, and CCECC fails to get mobilised in at least three sections, the jobs will be terminated.

“The worst of the roads in the entire South-South remains this Akwa Ibom to Cross River through Itu and Udoakpan Ekpo, and also the section that is being done by RCC.

“RCC has collected over N40 billion on that road, 15 kilometres of road, N156 billion inherited from the past administration, we have kept the price even though we don’t believe in it, but since it has been awarded and signed; but they are playing tricks.

“We have been on them to change their minds but by the end of next week, our 14 days notice of termination will elapse and we would terminate the project and give it to those who have mastery in the laying of concrete to come and use concrete in doing those roads,” the minister added.

He also gave both construction companies one week to remobilise to the site or face the termination of their contracts.