FG Mulls Termination of N6trn Abandoned Road Projects From Previous Administrations

The Federal Government is mulling over the termination of some abandoned projects inherited from previous successive governments with no clear funding source.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, disclosed this while briefing state house correspondents after meeting President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Umahi also disclosed that the President had approved some road construction projects and plans to toll some roads in the country.

He argued that concrete will be more durable and cost-effective than any other alternatives, urging all contractors working in Nigeria to ensure that global best practices are adhered to.

After a meeting with contractors handling projects in the North-east,  Umahi reiterated that the ministry currently had up to N14 trillion worth of ongoing projects against about 18,000 kilometres of roads, adding that henceforth, contractors are not expected to stay on site for more than four years.

The minister frowned upon situations where some contracts had been ongoing for 20 years, stressing that it was not good for the contractors for the projects and the clients.

Stating that subsequent signing of certificates would be based on their status, Umahi informed the contractors handling projects in the North-east not to bother reporting him to the president, since the president is aware of what was happening.

The minister said he was taking instructions directly from the president, who he said is also interested in concrete technology for road construction.