THE MINISTER of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, has faulted the poor construction practices by China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) on the rehabilitation of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, Aba bound section.
This is contained in a statement issued by Umahi’s media aide, Mr Orji Uchenna Orji , on Monday.
Umahi, who inspected ongoing federal road works in the South-South and South-East on Sunday, noted that the contractor failed to comply with the new construction codes and regulations introduced by the ministry.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the standard of work on the 43km Aba–Port Harcourt section, saying the road was already showing signs of total failure.
According to him, the ministry will issue a 14-day notice of termination to CCECC for poor performance despite several warning letters.
He also directed that the Port Harcourt bound section of the project should be removed from the contract and re-awarded to a competent indigenous firm.
“If you get to the Port Harcourt end, which they did about two years ago, the entire road has almost totally failed.
“We have been writing them to maintain this road, but they have refused. So, I have to take responsibility and act.
“The Port Harcourt bound is no longer going to be handled by CCECC. We will look for qualified indigenous contractors who can start work immediately.
“CCECC will be given 14 days’ notice of termination. If they fail to mill out the binder and replace it properly, the contract will be terminated. They must commit in writing to fixing the binder at their own cost,” he said.
The minister said it was unacceptable to lay a binder course without applying the final wearing course, adding that such poor practices compromise the lifespan of roads.
In a related development, Umahi commended Arab Contractors for the progress and quality of work on the Enugu–Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway, Section II (Umuahia Tower–Aba Rail/Road Crossing), in Abia.
He said the 56km project had reached about 85 per cent completion and described the company as one of the best performing contractors under the ministry.
Umahi said: “They are among our best five contractors; we even want them to maintain the completed Aba–Umuahia section because they have done a good job.”
He also commended the Federal Controller of Works in Abia for effective supervision and directed him to inspect all federal road projects in the state weekly.
Umahi noted that most of the ongoing road projects across the country were inherited in poor condition, adding that they were now receiving special attention under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration.
“All the roads became a priority because of the terrible condition of the ones the President inherited.
“The president is doing his best, and we are working hard to support him. Roads and bridges are the backbone of the economy, and we are determined to make them better,” he stressed.
The minister thanked Tinubu for his continued support to the ministry in improving Nigeria’s road infrastructure. (NAN)
