FG To Review All Road Projects With Augmentation...... Says Umahi

"I seek for knowledge to know why projects are being reviewed, whether it will ever have augmentation, l want to unravel the augmentation even though BPP would have approved it. If I feel the augmentation is not necessary I will bring down the cost." Works Minister.

Minister of Works Sen. (Engr). David Nweze Umahi has made it known that he will review all projects having augmentations.

He made this statement while granting an interview with Pressmen during the  inspection tour of the reconstruction of Bende-Ohafia-Arochukeu road Section I in Abia State on Thursday September 7, 2023.

The Minister used the opportunity to explain why he wants to review the projects, though not as proof, but because he wants to have the knowledge why a project is being reviewed. 

His words; "I have directed that all the Regional Directors will work with my team of consultants to review all the projects that are having augmentation. It is not a proof but l want to answer many questions about a project, for example, project awarded in many number of years for say 2 billion is now ten billion l should be able to answer that.

"I seek for knowledge to know why projects are being reviewed, whether it will ever have augmentation, l want to unravel the augmentation even though BPP would have approved it. If I feel the augmentation is not necessary I will bring down the cost." He added.

Umahi said that the review of the augmentation is to also help him to answer Mr President, the National Assembly, the Nigerian masses and the Press so he will be able to defend what ever augmentation that arises. 

While answering questions on whether the success story of his Ebonyi state advocacy on concrete technology being replicated across the country will be supported, he said, that depends on the stability of the road for instance in the Northern part of the country the use of ashpalt can be used but not in all situations. "Depending on the stability of the road like in the North we can do asphalt, but that is not to say concrete cannot be used. With ashpalt in the Northern part of the country, that will last for ten years, if you use concrete it will last for fifty years."

Engr. Umahi expressed happiness with the pace of work in the areas that the contractor is handling.

Speaking earlier, the contractor, M/S HARTLAND NIG. LTD. explained that the contract was awarded in 2020 with total number of forty-five kilometer and they could only conclud on 4km of the road.

Blessing Lere - Adams

Director (Information)

Press & Public Relations Unit FMW.