Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said that the ministry needs a total of N217 billion to reconstruct 260 roads and eight bridges across the country.
The minister disclosed this while inaugurating four road project committees on Thursday, Oct. 5, in Abuja.
He said the committees were being inaugurated to maintain the road and ensure that contractors implement the contracts signed.
The committees are to monitor the reconstruction of the Benin-Warri Dual Carriageway (Section I, II and III) and dualisation of East-West Road Section III: Port Harcourt (Eleme Junction) Oone Port Junction road in Rivers.
“The directors in this ministry met, and we agreed to constitute a taskforce that will be resident in these locations for efficient supervision.
“They will redesign the roads to meet the site situations, and article two of the contract we signed under section 51 of the General Conditions of the contract gives us the permission and legal right to redefine the projects.
“Which means we can rescope the projects and quality, we are leveraging on that to save our people from the hardship. We will use one foot thick concrete to rebuild the road. We are already working on the bills to redefine it,” the minister said.
Umahi said the Federal Government is giving serious attention to the roads between Benin and Warri and the road between Eleme and Onne Port.
“Let me graciously announce that the ministry contacted Mr President on 260 projects that need very immediate and quick intervention across the federation.
“The projects are from the motions of the National Assembly, outcry of the public and compilations from controllers of our states and the total cost is N217 billion.
“We have sent it to Mr President and the National Assembly is aware and he has directed that we submit at FEC for discussions,” he said.
He added that the roads are key factors for revolutionising the nation’s commerce, education, security and power and that President Tinubu is committed to the nation’s road infrastructure.
Still on approval of funds, the former Ebonyi governor said the president had approved funds for the rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
The minister decried the failures of several parts of the East-West Road, saying, “Last week, we had a lot of failures on our East-West Road between Warri and Cross Rivers.
“We had 12 points that totally collapsed, and if we have another flood, the entire section may collapse. Three bridges totally collapsed, and we have to reconstruct all of those roads.”
Meanwhile, the federal government has announced a ban on the use of laterite as a base for road construction across the country.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi who made the announcement while inaugurating a committee for the supervision of the Reconstruction of Benin – Warri dual carriageway and the dualization of East – West Road, Port Harcourt – Onne Port junction road in River State, said contractors should henceforth use lumps, sharp sand and stone base to form the base before laying of concrete or asphalt pavement.
Umahi stated that laterite has a limited load bearing capacity, susceptible to erosion and weathering especially in areas with heavy rainfall and this can lead to degradation of the road surface overtime, maintenance challenge and does not last long.
A statement signed and released by the Director (Information), Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, Lere-Adams Blessing read;
“We are giving very serious attention to the roads between Benin and Warri. The road between Eleme and Onne Port, we are mindful of the site conditions of these roads, the water conditions and the boreholes instead of pot holes on these roads.
“No more laterite, contractors are now to use lumps, sharp sand and stone base in place of laterite.
“The committee must implement the contract agreement with maintenance culture as key. Committee members are to monitor the contractors closely to make sure things are done right.
“I want to say that road infrastructure is one of the key factors for the revolution of our commerce, education, security and power in this country and Mr President is committed to our road infrastructure, so we are on a mission and we must take back our country.
“We are not at war with the contractor but contractors should not put the public to suffering. Proper daily supervision and documention of what the contractor is doing is compulsory.
“They must ensure the new method of construction is followed and maintenance follows too because it is part of the elements of the contract and any offence is punishable.”
