Emmanuel OchayiMinister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, has told road contractors that his job so far is not focusing on probing projects done by past the administration, but simply working towards implementing the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He made the declaration during an inspection of federal roads in Cross River, in an attempt to allay fears held in some quarters about potential probes of previous administration projects.
Umahi said: “My duties as Minister do not imply that I am probing past work. The last administration did well on road construction, and I am only here to assess the status of these projects. Nobody should be afraid of a probe. I am merely following Mr. President’s renewed Hope Agenda, and no amount of blackmail will derail this agenda.”
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Umahi also reiterated his call for the adoption of concrete technology for road construction in Nigeria, emphasizing its cost-effectiveness and durability.
He commended the Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, for adopting this approach, saying: “Aside from the durability, it is also the most cost-effective when compared with bitumen. We cannot continue to do the same thing the same way and expect a different result.
“We are trying to do it differently and should anticipate improved results for our road infrastructure. It’s cheaper than asphalt. Today, the dollar rate is almost N1,000 to the dollar, and the cost of crude oil is about $94 per barrel. Contracting for asphalt today means dealing with its price volatility due to currency fluctuations.”
This unexpected statement from the Minister of Works provides a fresh perspective on the government’s stance regarding federal road projects. It highlights the administration’s commitment to its “Hope Agenda” while promoting the benefits of concrete technology in road construction.
Contractors and stakeholders can now approach their work with a renewed sense of assurance and purpose, knowing that their efforts align with the government’s vision for Nigeria’s infrastructure development.
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