Minister warns contractors against delay in Project Delivery

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Mustapha Baba Shehuri has warned contractors handling the rehabilitation works on Yola – Hong – Mubi road in Adamawa State against delay in delivery of the project.
Shehuri gave the warning on recently while on an inspection tour of Federal Government’s ongoing road projects.
The Minster expressed dismay over the slow pace of work by the contractor, Messrs AG Vision (Nigeria) Limited, described the road as a vital artery to the socio-economic development of area, State and beyond, hence the need for urgency in its delivery.
The contract, was awarded May, 2017 with a 24 – months completion period, was presently at a dismal 15.10% completion, which the Minister described as unacceptable.
This was contained in a statement signed by Deputy Director (Information)
M. A. Ahmed said the minister urged the Contractor to expedite action on the project by improving on its capacities, stressing that the project was already running out of time.
He urged the Contractor to expedite action on the project by improving on its capacities, stressing that the project is already running out of time, while thanking communities along the corridor, road users alike for their cooperation and understanding.
Shehuri, who did not hide his displeasure with the Contractor, agreed that though the project was facing some security and funding challenges, reminded him of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring security of lives and properties, while the Ministry is making frantic efforts to ensure that certificates are being paid.
Responding the minister displeasure in project work, the Contractor of Messrs AG Vision (Nigeria) said the major cause for the delay is insecurity occasioned by activities of Boko Haram Insurgents in the area and inadequate funding.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works, Adamawa State, and Engr. Salihu Abubakar revealed that the contract sum is N21.8 billion; the Contractor fully mobilised to site in 2017 and presently has a total of N6.3 billion unpaid certificates.
In the same vein, Shehuri has summoned the Contractor handling the rehabilitation of Mararrabar Mubi – Michika – Madagali road, Messrs Rhas (Nigeria) Limited to his expressed his dissatisfaction with the Contractor for abandoning the project despite being fully mobilized, added that based on the tempo of work on the site, the fate of this all – important project is already jeopardised.
According to the Federal Controller, the 90 – kilometer road with 3 bridges, which were destroyed by Boko Haram Insurgents in 2014, has a completion period of 18 months, which had already elapsed and the project at a mere 1.7% completion.
However, the case of the Contractor handling the rehabilitation of Cham – Numan road project in Gombe and Adamawa States is different, as the Minister was highly impressed with the level of work achieved thus far.