Enugu/Port Harcourt Highway: FG Gives Contractors 14 days Termination Notice 

The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a 14 days’ termination notice to the contractor handling Enugu-Port Harcourt highway, Messrs China Civil Engineering Construction (CCECC) over non-performance.

The Minister of works, Dave Umahi, gave the directive when he inspected the progress of work at Ozuaku, after Imo bridge on Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

In a statement signed by the ministry’s director of information, Olusola Abiola, Umahi, however, lauded Arab Contractors, handling the rehabilitation of the 56km Abia State section of the Enugu -Port Harcourt Highway for the quality of work done.

On the CCECC section of the road,, “I have just directed that they should issue them 14 days termination notice using all due process on construction. After 14 days, if they fail to do what we have asked them to do, then we will have to do the termination.

“We will no longer tolerate the situation where contractors will put blank ranks on site. And they will be escalating construction costs by delaying the completion of the project date.”

“And we have reached an agreement in the Ministry of Works that in the coming weeks, all non-performing contracts using due process will be terminated and re-awarded.”

The minister called on contractors to demonstrate commitment saying “We let them know the suffering of Nigerians. We are here to help them and we will do everything to help them.”

Umahi observed further that “the cost of non-completion of this project has a lot to do with contractors. Where contractors stay on projects over and over and pretend, thereafter, they come to request for augmentation every year, refusing to leave the site.”

 “We will force them out of site either on the terms of completion or on the terms of termination. This is what we are going to do.”

Stressing the imperative for the ministry to deliver quality and good highways to Nigerians, the minister averred that “it is very important to appreciate all the efforts of Mr. President who has been providing funds for our road infrastructure projects; which is very, very good.”

“So it’s kudos to Mr. President and it shows that Mr. President is very, very sensitive to our road infrastructure needs. And so we must do everything to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President, irrespective or notwithstanding any blackmail.”

He lauded Arab Contractors, the contractor carrying out the ongoing rehabilitation of work on the 56km Abia State section of the Enugu-Port Harcourt highway for the quality of work done.

“The moment a contractor is performing very well, then you are a friend and that’s the bottom line.”

In the same vein, the minister has described as excellent the job performance of Messrs CGC Nig. Ltd handling the Enugu State axis of the dual carriage after his inspection of the roads.

While commending the contractor, consultant and the controller of works for job quality, Umahi praised the contractor for the quality of work and equipment, while requesting that the ongoing work on one section of the highway must be completed by middle of March as agreed