The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has directed contractors handling the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway to avoid demolishing or touching any building along the current project alignment until the Federal Government completes a review and, where necessary, realigns the route.
Umahi gave the directive during an inspection of Phase Two of the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway at Ado in Benue State, where he also ordered contractors to accelerate construction works on the 173-kilometre section valued at N683bn.
The minister said the project should not affect any buildings, even where structures fall within the existing alignment.
“My directive is that no building should be touched. Even if it’s within the alignment, I have to come and realign it. So you have to continue your work and go around those buildings until we come to look at it,” he said.
Umahi said the directive was necessary to ensure that the human impact of the project was properly considered while construction continues.
The minister disclosed that the contractor handling Section Two had opened the first element of the initial eight kilometres, while efforts were ongoing to resolve the engineering challenge around the Ado Bridge.
He directed the contractor to open another section from the Ado River while the engineering team works on the best technical solution for crossing the bridge.
“I do not believe in engineering that anything is impossible,” Umahi said.
He further directed that at least three sections of the first element of Section Two should be opened simultaneously to increase the pace of construction.
According to him, Section One of the project is valued at N454bn, while additional works are being undertaken along the route, including the dualisation of the road at Onueke and the dualisation at Chainage 0 around Ndibe Beach.
Umahi also directed that sharp curves along the highway be strengthened, regardless of whether such adjustments were contained in the original design, stressing the need for experienced professionals to respond to engineering realities on the ground.
He explained that the project was being executed under an Engineering, Procurement and Construction Plus Finance arrangement, which does not provide for variations, making effective management of quantities and resources critical.
The minister commended the contractor for the progress recorded since his previous inspection.
“From the last time we were here until now, he has done very well, and I’m very proud of what he’s doing,” he said.
Umahi also dismissed claims that he had concentrated Federal Government infrastructure projects in the Southeast, saying the projects were part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader national development programme.
“I saw on social media where they say I cornered all projects to the Southeast. That is very wonderful. But we have the publication of all projects ongoing by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, so they darken counsel without knowledge,” he said.
The minister said he could not single-handedly determine the distribution of Federal Government projects, saying that Tinubu remained his principal.
“I’m not on my own. The President is my boss. So where will he be when I corner all projects to Southeast?” he asked.
Umahi said the Southeast might not necessarily be first, second or third in infrastructure development under the administration, but would “definitely” not be the last.
He also rejected suggestions of a political “rainbow coalition” in Ebonyi State involving him and other political interests, insisting that the state remained aligned with the All Progressives Congress.
On reports of a possible political alliance involving former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Umahi said Wike had not informed him of any candidates in Ebonyi State.
“If Wike has candidates here, he has not told me. And his candidate cannot break our relationship, but his candidate is not part of our relationship,” he said.
(The Whistler)