UMAHI ORDERS ADOPTION OF NEW PROCEDURE FOR CONTRACTS, PROJECTS .... "I want to be shown in calculation, sketches, site joint measurements, variation site instructions, geo-technical report and joint site evaluation report.
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H.E Senator (Engr) Nweze Dave Umahi |
"We can not stay in office and issue out payments to contractors without visiting site or having knowledge of what is happening at site." Umahi.
.... "It is very important to note that all certificates issued on all on-going projects are both interim and cumulative certificates."
The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr Dave Nweze Umahi CON, FNSE, FNATE has announced a procedure that will be adopted for all Variation on Prices and augmentation already gotten or new ones to be processed as regards the execution of contracts and projects.
The Minister, in a statement he personally signed, stressed that on the Variation on Prices Augmentation and Payments, "It is very important to note that all certificates issued on all on-going projects are both interim and cumulative certificates."
He said; "For me to sign and own any interim or final certificate, I must as the Honourable Minister and an Engineer know how we arrived at such decisions. I am not against Variation on Prices and contract augmentation but I want to be shown in calculation, sketches, site joint measurements, variation site instructions, geo-technical report and joint site evaluation report.
Engr Umahi stressed that, "I have had meetings severally with Ministry of Works Directors but it seems they have not understood this new policy or they are not interested. We can not stay in office and issue out payments to contractors without visiting site or having knowledge of what is happening at site. In the circumstance the following procedure must be followed."
He pointed out that, "where Variation on Price and augmentation has taken place or is to take place, let all calculations, site joint measurement, site written instructions, geo-technical report, survey report, sketches be attached. Let us have the new unit rate for items on Variation on prices or change of scope or quantities added and new contract sum shown on aggregated rate of old rate and VOP.
"Let us have the new reviewed contract sum as will be recommended by you.
"Let us have the proposed new rate on remaining quantities to completion. On the remaining ongoing jobs directed to be continued fully on concrete or where the shoulders will be on concrete and pavement on asphalt especially in the north but for south, it is full concrete.
"Let us know cost of concrete amount by full or partial concrete. These two bills shall be presented to me and I will take decisions.
He disclosed that, "I have not changed any sub-grade, sub-base or base course of any ongoing project, cost or design but only the pavement structure. Whether asphalt or concrete, we must get from contractors, performance bond from a reputable bank for at least 50% of design shelf life of the project be guaranteed to us. Contractors will be doing earthwork; base course, expose the road to traffic for 60 days before putting any pavement and after this period, shoulders could be cast using mobile mixers and good vibrators while carriage way especially on trunk "A" roads shall be on concrete paver machine.
Engr Umahi further stated that, "In arriving at the site joint measurement, the Contractor, the Resident Engineer, the State Controller, Chief Engineers and where job is on final stage, the state Commissioner of Works must get involved to say that the jobs quality and length were achieved. (ignore Commissioner of Works where he becomes unreasonable to cooperation).
"The joint site measurement is then used by the contractors to generate valuation certificate attaching calculation and sketches. The Resident Engineer, State Controllers and Regional Directors/other Directors shall review and who ever it is his/her job to issue Interim Certificate shall issue a temporary one for the approval of the Honourable Minister before interim one is issued to Contractors for payment or request for augmentation Memo is issued for the Honourable Minister to approve.
Continuing, Senator Dave Umahi said; "Let all requests for payment approval or argumentation should immediately follow this procedure so that we sign off immediately.
Speaking on the increase or decrease in the scope of work, reiterated that, "No project scope to any Contractor should be increased or decreased in quality without passing through the same process above.
He therefore appealed with all Ministry of Works staff and contractors not to prepare any payment certificate to any contractor if the entire length of the roads of the contract is not made motorable to road users
"All Projects must have Resident Engineers immediately." He said.
He warned that the cost of any project must be made to him before engagement as he will not honour any paper again where there is no Resident Engineer, begining from 1/10/23.
"State Controllers are barred from being Resident Engineers."
The Works Minister therefore called on the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works to immediately get all directors and staff to rework pending Memos following the new policy and bring back for discussion where needed and approval.
"Daily Site report must be downloaded to our Whatsapp platform from sites daily." The Minister directed.
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