FG unveils new policy guidelines for road construction

The Federal Ministry of Works has introduced new policies aimed at transforming the road construction in Nigeria. 

The policies, unveiled by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, are designed to address the poor pace of work and improve the service life of federal roads.

According to the policy document shared with journalists by the Special Adviser to the Minister on Media Uchenna Orji on Friday, the new policies include the introduction of rigid pavements, reduction of claims for variation of price by contractors, removal of consumer price index from contracts, and introduction of uniform pricing in each zone.

Other policies introduced by the Ministry include enhanced supervision of ongoing projects, introduction of whistle-blowing on bad jobs, prioritisation of projects within economic corridors, and completion of one carriageway before commencing the second carriageway for dualized projects.

The Ministry has also engaged with the Ministry of Steel Development for the revitalisation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, established the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, and commenced the Second Phase of the Highway Development Management Initiative.

These policies, according to the Ministry, are designed to ensure value for money spent on projects, improve the quality of roads, and enhance economic growth.

The Minister stated that the policies are part of the Renewed Hope Road Infrastructure Revolution Agenda, aimed at making a difference in the road sector under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The Ministry urged stakeholders to read the policies and view the video on the systematic and strategic actions that have made a difference in the road sector.

“The Ministry has come up with new policies to mitigate the poor pace of work and improve the service life of Federal Roads,” the document read partly.

Details of the new policies as contained in the document read as follows:

“Introduction of construction of Rigid Pavements (Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement) as against the Flexible Pavement (Bituminous), where appropriate, especially where there are high water levels and poor soil structure;

“Reduction of the claims for Variation of Price (VOP) by Contractors, which has, consequently, saved government money and reduced the incessant request for augmentation of project contracts;

“Removal of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from all contracts, thereby giving the government value for money spent on the projects;

“Introduction of Uniform Pricing in each zone to ensure fair rates are utilized for procurement of projects;

“Enhance supervision of all ongoing projects, which requires all field staff to be on-site;

“Introduction of Whistle Blowing on bad jobs by engaging stakeholders such as communities where the projects traverse, road users etc to monitor works executed and report where poor quality works are being executed;

“Engaging in priority projects within economic corridors whose early completion will spur economic growth;

“Engaging in the completion of one carriageway before commencing the second carriageway for dualized projects;

“Sending Regional Directors/Special Projects Directors to the fields/sites to supervise project execution as well as ensure quality and timely project completion.”

Other policies introduced include:

“Engaging with the Ministry of Steel Development for the revitalization of the Light Section Mill of the Ajaokuta Steel 

“Company for the production of 7 million tons of iron rods for the Construction of Concrete;

“Review, redesign, and rescoping of critical projects that required immediate attention and funding;

“Establishment of the Renewed Hoped Infrastructure Development Fund to improve funding for critical Highway Projects;

“Commencing the Second Phase of the Highway Development Management Initiative which will allow the Financing, Construction and Management of some Federal Roads under the Public Private Partnership Scheme;

“Exposing subgrade, sub-base, and base course to 60 days of vehicular movement and continuous sheep-foot rolling before pavement placement;

“Sustenance of maintenance of all roads under construction throughout the lifespan of the project under contract;

“Effective design of road infrastructure anchored on a detailed report of environmental site conditions (Environmental  Social Impact Assessment, ESIA) and geotechnical report;

“Creation of a WhatsApp group to facilitate communication between top management staff;

“Getting the State Commissioners of Works to validate ongoing works before payment and;

“Engagement of FERMA in emergency jobs in all the States within the limit of their funds.”