Reps ask Umahi to revoke East-West road contract over poor execution

The House of Representatives has asked the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to immediately revoke the contract for the construction of the flooded East-West Road awarded to Rock Result Nigeria Limited and other contracts and re-award the same to a company with expertise and capacity.

This followed a motion on the “Need to Revoke the Contract for the Construction of Flooded Sections of the East-West Road Connecting Major Communities in Bayelsa State,” moved by Obok Oforjil during plenary in Abuja.

Moving the motion, Oforjil stated that the East-West Road is one of the important roads in the federation which has significantly contributed to the country’s economic and social development; it connects major regions facilitating trade, commerce, and cultural exchange, and thus improved access to markets, industries, and social services.

He explained that the Federal Ministry of Works awarded the contract for the construction of the box culverts for the repairs of the flooded section of the East-West Road (Kaiama-Ahoada Section) to Rock Result Nigeria Limited, but the company has failed to execute the contract, causing traffic disruptions, loss of lives and fatalities.

“Recall that on 11 April 2024 the current Minister of Works, on an inspection tour at East-West Road, praised Rock Result Nigeria Limited, but to date, nothing has been achieved.

“Worried that East-West Road has been in a dilapidated state for years, particularly at Iheke in Ahoada East Local Government of Rivers State, Aven in Patani and Umeh in Isoko South Local Government Areas of Delta State connecting Bayelsa State to Rivers and Delta States and other parts of the country.

“Also worried that the Federal Government is prioritising the coastal road over the crucial East-West Road, which is vital for the country’s economic survival; to this end, the House mandated the Committee on Works to ensure compliance,” he stated.