Coastal Highway: Priority Will Be Given To Local Contractors - Umahi
By Missang AKPET
The minister of works Engr. David Umahi has stated that priority will be given to local contractors in the construction of the Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway.
The Minister made this known at the one day stakeholders engagement on the alignment of section 3A of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Calabar.
The minister said Cross River is a huge beneficiary of the Renewed Hope legacy projects with about 130km of the roads situated in Cross River State.
He revealed that the road will be done with concrete thereby giving it a sustainability lifespan of over 50 years while assuring that priority will be given to local contractors as the 3A of the project begins in August.
"We are going to do a thorough job on the highway and as we commence, we will not pause untill the project is done.
"Before now we use asphalt on our roads which do not really stand the test of time nor are durable enough to carry the capacity of vehicular movements that ply the roads. As an administration, we have resolved to do with concrete roads which will last over 50 years without maintainance" the minister said.
Commenting on the level of work excuted by the contractors, the minister lauded Hitech Construction Company and Sermatech Nigeria Limited for for the quality of work they've carried out so far which are inline with the project specifications.
He stressed that going forward, any company that does not deliver according to specifications on the agreed timeline will have their contract terminated.
"We must begin to encourage our indigenous contractors, we will be holding a contractors dialogue in July where will will be meeting with all contractors one on one. I have told them already, no more cutting of corners in government contracts, if you collect government money without doing the job we'll make sure you go to prison" the minister stressed.
Umahi lamented the case of Julius Berger Construction Company where they abandoned site without notice, he said there have been given 7 days altumatum to return to or risk being charged for bridge of contract.
