We cannot issue out payments to contractors without visiting sites —Umahi declares

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Minister of Work, Engr. David Umahi has said that the ministry cannot issue out payments to contractors without visiting site or having knowledge of what is happening at the sites.
The minister stated this in a statement issued yesterday while announcing new policy on argumentation, price variations,raising of final interim certificate and work scope.
He said there is no way I will stay in office and issue payments.
“I am not against Variation on Prices and contract augmentation but I want to be shown in calculation, sketches, site joint measurements, variation site instructions, geo-technical report and joint site evaluation report.
“ I have had meetings severally with Ministry of Works directors but it seems they have not understood this new policy or they are not interested.”
He said a new policy procedure shall be adopted for all variation on prices and augmentation already gotten including new ones to be processed.
“It is very important to note that all certificates issued on all on-going projects are both interim and cumulative certificates. For me to sign and own any interim or final certificate, I must know how we arrived at such decisions. “
He explained that “Where Variation on Price and augmentation has taken place or is to take place, let all calculations, site joint measurement, site written instructions, geo-technical report, survey report, sketches be attached. Let us have the new unit rate for items on variation on prices or change of scope or quantities added and new contract sum shown on aggregated rate of old rate and VOP. Let us have the new reviewed contract sum as will be recommended by you. Let us have the proposed new rate on remaining quantities to completion.”
He said the remaining ongoing jobs are to be continued fully on concrete or where the shoulders will be on concrete and pavement on asphalt especially in the north,
but that the south should be full concrete.
“Let us know the cost of concrete by full or partial concrete. These two bills shall be presented to me and I will take decisions. I have not changed any sub-grade, sub-base or base course of any ongoing project, cost or design but only the pavement structure. Whether asphalt or concrete, we must get from contractors performance bond from a reputable bank for at least 50% of designated shelf life of the project.”