Umahi queries contractor over failed Abuja-Minna road

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has decried the deplorable condition of the Abuja-Minna federal road, saying he did not see any work done by the contractor handling the project.

The minister who travelled by road from Abuja to attend a stakeholders’ engagement on the construction of the 125KM three-lane single carriage of the Niger State component of the 1,068km of the Sokoto-Badagry super highway, said he did not see any work done by Salini Nigeria Limited, the construction company that handled the project.

The comment from the minister comes as the Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago asked that the Minna-Suleja road contract awarded to Salini Nigeria Ltd be revoked.

Umahi, during his keynote address at the stakeholders’ meeting held at the Legbo Kutigi Conference Hall in Minna, said “When we were coming here, I was very happy that I came through the roads and I thank my permanent secretary.

“What I saw on that road was very disturbing. It was said to have been completed 84.5 per cent and even paid for and I was forced to stop and ask ‘Where do we start counting this 84.5 per cent?’ and they could not tell us. So, nothing was done.

“We are going to take decisive action on that road. There is no way we can allow a project to be as old as 14 years and the contractor is receiving an annual budget.

“I don’t envy Salini, every budget, he comes and he receives money and he goes back and nothing goes on. That will stop,” he said.

On the construction of the 125km three-lane single carriage Niger State component of the 1068km Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, the minister promises transformative economic benefits, boasting 68 dams, factories, and irrigation systems.

He explained that the infrastructure project, initiated by President Bola Tinubu, prioritised investment over mere legacy, aiming to stimulate growth and development across multiple sectors.

He urged people of the state to be patient and supportive of Tinubu’s vision aimed at the long-term benefits of this strategic investment.

He added, “I have seen clips of the federal road in Niger State. I was very happy to see it and I want Nigerians to see that this is just the tip of the iceberg of the inherited projects of Mr President.

“We have the worst situations in some states. Mr President inherited 2,604 projects as of May 29, 2023, totalling N13tn and certified projects of debts to contractors was about N1.6tn.

“Today, when we review those projects by the reason of realities on the ground, those projects total over N19tn, but Mr President has not abandoned any of the projects. He has listed all of them in the 2024 appropriation.”

Bago, in his speech, condemned the poor state of the Abuja-Minna federal road as he even described Salini Nigeria Limited as a failed construction firm.

He called on the works minister to revoke all the roads the company had constructed and the jobs re-awarded to Hitech or CCECC for successfully handling the Abuja-Kaduna road project, demonstrating proven capabilities in delivering quality work.

He assured the minister of the state’s support to the President, stressing the need for having reliable contractors to ensure timely completion of projects.

Bago also unveiled plans to establish a cement factory in Niger State, leveraging the state’s abundant raw materials.

The Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, represented by the Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Barau Muhammad, urged the Federal Government to intervene in rehabilitating federal roads within the state.

Similarly, the senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Sani Musa, pledged to secure the necessary funding for federal road projects such as Zungeru Bridge, Tegina-Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna road and Sarkin-Pawa to Kaduna road.