MARGARET CHIDERA
ABIA, Nigeria – The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi has that the ministry will review all the road projects that come with augmentations.
Umahi said this while speaking with journalists during the inspection tour of the ongoing Bende – Ohafia – Arochukeu Road section I, in Abia State.
The Minister explained that he wants to review the projects, though not as proof, but to understand the reason behind the augmentation.
“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 will arm him with the necessary answers about the project so as to properly brief the President, the National Assembly, the Nigerian masses, and the press.
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 a total number of forty-five kilometers, and they could only conclude on 4km of the road.
