The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has threatened to terminate the road contracts awarded to BUA International and the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, CCECC, over the slow pace of work.
Umahi issued the threat on Friday during an inspection of federal roads across the Edo Central and Edo South.
DAILY POST reports that BUA International was awarded the construction of the Ekpoma section of the Benin-Ekpoma- Auchi Express. At the same time, CCECC is also engaged in road construction in the state under the NNPC Tax Credit Scheme.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the jobs, Umahi said, “From Benin to Ekpoma alone is 53km, and CBC has begun work on the first stretch, already covering 2km without a single payment made. This is commendable.
“However, CCECC must sit up. By Monday, if I do not see efficiency in at least two sections, their contracts will be terminated. President Tinubu is determined to build roads that will last 50 to 100 years, not the short-lived projects of the past.”
The minister, who applauded BUA International for its handling of the Ekpoma section of the expressway, described the quality as excellent.
He, however, urged the company to accelerate the completion of its first 10km by the end of October, warning that failure could result in the termination of contracts nationwide.
Umahi also read the riot act to federal directors and controllers that they must leave their offices and monitor projects on-site.
“If I visit any state and encounter gridlock like I did here today, I will immediately redeploy the state director and controller to Abuja,” he warned.
He opined that if the President is working for the people, his officers must also do the same.
Umahi noted that President Bola Tinubu is committed to rewriting the history of road construction in Nigeria by ensuring durability and sustainability.
He commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for his ongoing interventions and urged the Edo State Government to intensify its support in alleviating the plight of road users.
The minister also visited some parts of the ongoing reconstruction of the Benin-Asaba Expressway, recently handed over to a concession company.
The inspection tour took the delegation to Ujueolen, the Ekpoma stretch of the Benin–Auchi–Lokoja Expressway, and Egbele in Uromi, where both the minister and Governor Monday Okpebholo expressed deep displeasure at the condition of the roads.
At the site, Umahi expressed dismay and instructed the contractors to immediately provide some palliative measures to reduce the daily stress road users endure.
During the inspection, the minister handed over the completion of one full carriageway from Ewu to Agbor to the Edo State Government.
He explained that while the Federal Ministry of Works will handle the design, execution will be managed locally by the state government.
On his part, Governor Okpbholo expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for prioritising Edo roads, noting that the administration’s renewed focus has inspired confidence among the people.
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