By Perpetua Onuegbu
The Minister of Works Sen. David Umahi has said that overloading is not responsible for road failures rather contractors are responsible for taking on more contracts than they have equipment for.
He said this while inspecting some roads within Rivers and Akwa Ibom States according to a statement by Mrs Blessing Lere-Adams, Director, Pres and Public Relations, FMW on Thursday.
“I want Nigerians to know that overloading is not responsible for failure of the road , most of the contractors have jobs in more than ten locations with two equipment so they cannot cope with the volume of jobs.
“I have directed that any project that motor users cannot go through the entire length and breadth of the project awarded to a contractor, I will not sign the certificate.
“Contractors must maintain all the roads, the length and breath within their contract , I am directing the Controllers and Directors of the Regions to ensure between Abuja and Port Harcourt they must fix the remedial works within the next 14days,” he said.
Umahi further said the Federal Government would no longer accept road contract certificate for payment generated by one person.
“No longer will certificate for payment be generated by one person , contractor must sign it, resident engineer as well, state controllers, regional controllers, and they will all ensure inspections are done.
“State Commissioners of Works shall generate work done, prepare the certificate with calculations and geotechnical reports , sketches and valuation, then they will bring it to me , the moment I see that things are working I will sign within 6hours.
“How could a payment certificate be given for a road that has failed and the contractor is on site and you turn around to blame the leaders, who signs the papers ?, you sign the paper and originate the certificate.
“I have directed that enough is enough , they must show me how the increase in our contracts come about , anyone can sign a paper for them to pay but as for me I will not sign anything that I don’t know how it came about.”
The minister stressed that no contractor would be stopped from using asphalt but as long as they sign a performance bond that the road would not fail before it’s life span.
The Minister also directed that any contractor without COREN Certification must not be allowed to work , and threatened that any consultant or civil servant that behaved contrary to engineering code of ethics their certificate would be withdrawn .
Umahi said President Bola Tinubu is determined to end the sufferings of the road users in Nigeria , saying that road is everything to the country , Commerce, Solid Mineral, Medicine, Education, Agriculture and to Food Security.
He was approached by youths of Eleme during his inspection for upgrading of four lanes to six lanes for Eleme junction to Onne junction road projects in Rivers State where he promised them that he would work with the youths to ensure that the road does not remain the same .
Earlier the Eleme Local Government Area Chairman, Hon.Obarilomate Ollor who spoke on behalf of the youths said commended the minister for coming to inspect the road.
“I thank the Minister for coming to inspect this road on behalf of Mr President , this bad road has been responsible for the untimely death of so many people.
“And more that ten thousands of vehicles ply this route daily , and from what you have said the youths will cooperate with you to deliver this project and we will not make unnecessary request,”he said.
Some of the projects inspected in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states included, Aba- Port Harcourt road , Bodo Bonny road , Ogoni bridge , Reconstruction of Abak – Ekparakwa –Ette- Ikot Abasi road and the dualisation of the East West Road Section four at Eket By Pass.(NAN)(www.nannews.com.ng)