The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to contractors handling the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Lokoja highway to fully mobilise to the site or face possible prosecution by anti-graft and law enforcement agencies.
Umahi warned that contractors who have received government funds but failed to deliver on their obligations would no longer be tolerated.
To this end, the Minister declared that the Federal Government was prepared to involve the police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to recover public funds and ensure project execution.
“If you are holding the money of the Federal Government, you have to bring it out and do the job, or we start going to the police and the EFCC,” the minister said.
Umahi, who spoke on Tuesday during an inspection tour of the road project alongside members of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Works, disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had already approved the release of funds for the project.
He urged the affected contractors to honour their commitments by deploying equipment and personnel to the site immediately.
“I’m giving you 72 hours to effectively deploy on this road and utilise the money. The President has graciously approved the funds, and everyone involved must fulfil their obligations,” he said.
The minister also vowed to sanction Ministry of Works officials who fail to properly supervise projects under their watch, insisting that negligence and poor performance would no longer be tolerated.
According to him, contractors and supervising engineers must not undermine the Tinubu administration’s commitment to infrastructure development through delays, substandard work or lack of accountability.
Umahi, however, commended the progress recorded on some sections of the project and assured contractors that outstanding payments under previous agreements would be settled once the approved funds are released.
He expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the Abuja-bound carriageway, warning that more than 90 per cent of the lane has been damaged and could become completely impassable within months if urgent intervention is not carried out.
The minister further directed contractors not to remove existing asphalt on any section of the highway without obtaining approval from the Ministry of Works.
(The Whistler)