Apparently unimpressed with the progress made by contractors handling major federal highways in Kogi State, Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has reached mutual agreements with the contractors to ensure speedy completion of the affected road projects.
The projects are the rehabilitation of Lokoja- Shintaku – Dekina – Anyigba Road and the reconstruction of Okene – Ajaokuta – Itobe dual highway in Kogi State.
The projects were awarded in 2022 to CCECC Nig Ltd and TEC Engineering Company Nig Ltd and were scheduled for completion in 2024.
Speaking at a meeting held with the contractors in his office last Thursday, the Minister frowned at the delay of the contractors in achieving the key deliverables of the projects within the timelines and financial resources made available by the federal government.
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He emphasized the commitment of the present administration to road infrastructure upgrade anchored on the core values of quality, speed and value for money in project delivery.
On the contract for the rehabilitation of Okene-Ajaokuta-Itobe highway in Kogi State, being handled by CCECC Nig Ltd, the minister recalled that the project was awarded in 2022 with a length of 52.27km but that the contractor had only achieved 1.97% completion (binder) on one alignment despite receiving N2.5 Billion advance payment.
He, therefore, directed the ministry’s Director Highway North Central to issue a warning letter to the contractor, to within 30 days, resume work on the site (using the old rate) to achieve a milestone that is commensurate with the money it received, after which the balance of the job yet to be done would be mutually terminated to enable the Ministry procure the remaining section of the project for enhanced funding and execution.
On the contract for the rehabilitation of Lokoja- Shintaku – Dekina – Anyigba road with a spur from Dekina to Ugbabo in Kogi State, being handled by TEC Engineering Company Nig Ltd, the Minister noted that the contract was awarded in 2022 but recorded only 1.04% completion despite receiving N1 billion as advance payment.
Following a critical appraisal of the current state of the project, the contractor was directed to lay 3 kilometers of asphalt latest by December 2025, after which a final account would be made based on the milestone completed and the job would be terminated on mutual basis.
Umahi further directed that the assessment for the funds already released shall be based on the old rate while the assessment for the funds to be accessed under the year 2025 budget shall be based on the new rate, and that the consultancies for both contracts be mutually terminated pending when a new contract is procured on the projects.
The meeting was attended by top officials of the Federal Ministry of Works and representatives of the contractors and Kogi State Government.
