Meet Deadlines Or Risk Contract Breach, Umahi Warns Contractors

Reynolds Construction Company, the contractor for the East-West Road, Section III (Eleme Junction–Onne Junction), has been warned by Works Minister David Umahi to increase the pace of work or risk contract rescoping or termination.

The minister reminded the contractor that it has up to the end of April 2025 to deliver a section of the carriageway.

He handed down the warning on Wednesday while inspecting the progress of work on the project.

A statement by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, on Thursday said Umahi began an inspection on ongoing road projects in the Southeast East and South South geopolitical zones, starting with Section III of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway (Umuahia-Aba).

“The ministry will not tolerate delays. Any contractor who does not meet his contractual obligations will face the consequences, cumulating into a 14-day notice of termination of the contract,” he warned.

The minister also expressed displeasure over the slow pace of work on Section IV (Aba-Port Harcourt) of the same alignment being handled by Messrs. China Civil Engineering Construction Company.

According to him, only N7bn out of the N21bn provided for the project last year has been accessed.

Consequently, he instructed the Federal Controller of Works, Rivers State, to issue a warning to the contractor, promising to terminate it if there were no improvements in the tempo of work.

He applauded the contractor, Messrs Arab Contractors (Nig.) Ltd., on the quality of work but instructed them to deploy in two more sites to speed up the construction and, most importantly, meet the set dateline.

The tour of duty, the statement said, also took the minister to the Bodo-Bonny Road, where he again voiced discontent with the level of work achieved.

He asked the contractor, Messrs. Julius Berger (Nig.) Plc, to upscale their deployment of men, materials, and machines, despite working throughout the Yuletide holidays.

The project, a critical component of the South-South zone’s infrastructure development, is a 2-lane road with hard shoulders, 17 bridges spanning 3,200 meters, and reinforced concrete pavement on Bonny Island.

The statement added, “At all construction sites visited, Engr. Umahi stressed the urgency to meet deadlines, emphasising that all Federal contractors must intensify their efforts to ensure the timely realisation of projects, in line with the Federal Government’s resolve to enhance infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth, succinctly captured in the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The essence is to improve connectivity as well as stimulate socio-economic growth.”

The minister further issued clear directives to Federal Controllers of Works to present at least four completed projects, each for inauguration from February to May 20.

“The expectation is that every controller delivers on his mandates according to specifications and time allotted. There is no room for further delays,” he declared.

In light of the delay in the delivery of some projects, the minister cautioned that the ministry is poised to take decisive action.

According to him, such actions would apply to all underperforming contracts.

Despite the challenges, he reassured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu remains fully committed to the completion of inherited projects, as well as the four legacy projects he initiated.

“The President has not abandoned these projects. It is the contractors who have delayed the work. This year, we will be stricter in ensuring that projects are completed on course,” he assured.

Umahi guaranteed that the ministry will continue to closely monitor all ongoing projects, ensuring that they align with President Tinubu’s vision for accelerated national growth and development.

He concluded by calling for greater teamwork from all stakeholders in the management and delivery of road and bridge projects.

“We all need to work together—government, contractors, and the general public—to ensure that deadlines are met. No contractor should collect government funds and fail to deliver on their promises. “Henceforth, we will be more observant and take necessary actions towards ensuring the successful completion of these projects,” he stated.

Last year, the minister terminated 10 stalled projects, which have lasted for over 17 years.