From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
The federal government has terminated the dualisation contract for the Suleja-Lambata-Minna Road, which was handled by Salini Nigeria Limited and was awarded in 2010.
The revocation of the contract followed a complaint by the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago, who reported to the Minister of Works, Engineer Nweze Dave Umahi, regarding the prolonged delay in completing the job.
The governor of Niger State expressed concern that the failure of the contractor to live up to expectations in jobs awarded to them had adversely affected the socio-economic condition of the state and was adding to the security challenges encountered by the state. He called for the revocation of the contract handled by Salini Nigeria Limited, which was awarded in 2010, due to lack of capacity.
It was later agreed that Salini Nigeria Limited had shown a manifest lack of capacity, as evidenced by the sub-standard jobs noticed in the two sections of their work, and it was resolved that the contract be terminated through due process and re-awarded to a more serious and competent contractor.
A committee was set up with a mandate to liaise accordingly and carry out an account before the termination of the contract. The Director of Legal Services was directed to issue a notice of contract termination to the contractor. The Niger State Government was requested to recommend consultants to the ministry to carry out the engineering design of the road following due process and subsequent supervision of the works. The design is expected to be completed within seven days.
Regarding the jobs handled by CGC Nigeria Limited, the contractor was advised to commence work immediately on the stretch between Agaie and Bida, which is reportedly a death trap, while the ministry would release funds to them from the Variation of Prices (VOP). However, for the request of CGC Nigeria Limited on their second job, it was resolved that no further quantities would be approved in their favour, but a Variation on Price could be availed.
On the reconstruction of the Bida-Lapai-Lambata Road, Umahi commended CGC for a good job and for offering Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) services to the host community, but advised them to revisit and repair areas of the road that are deteriorating.
In a statement, the Ministry of Works noted the rehabilitation of the Mokwa-Makera-Tejina-Kaduna road handled by CGC, the strategic economic importance of the road to the north, and the security challenges encountered along the road. The contractor was advised to commence work from areas where the security threat is minimal. It was further resolved that a provision be made for the project in the 2025 appropriation.
Similarly, on the contract handled by Gilmor Engineering Nigeria Limited, the meeting resolved that the governor would extend his generous security assistance to the contractor handling the project, and that the contractor should liaise with the state government in this regard.
However, the stakeholders frowned upon the delay by the contractor, citing security challenges as an excuse. It was, therefore, resolved that a warning letter be given to the contractor by the ministry over their undue delay in the work, and that a Variation on Price (VOP) cannot avail as requested.
On the job handled by Develeco Nigeria Limited/HMF Construction Limited, the Governor of Niger State confirmed that the Niger State Government had taken over the construction of 20 km of the road.
“Consequently, the Director, Construction & Rehabilitation was directed to write a letter to the contractor based on Section 51 of the Federal Ministry of Works Standard Conditions of Contract, stating that the contract has been descoped by 20 km. On the job by Gerawa Global Engineering Limited, the contractor was commended but advised to deploy two gangs working from the two ends for faster execution,” the statement noted.
Recall that these projects were among the 10 inherited ongoing projects.
They are the Agaie-Katcha-Baro Road in Niger State under Contract No: 6254, handled by GR Building and Construction Nigeria Limited; the dualisation of the Suleja-Lambata-Minna Road, Phase I in Niger State Contract No: 6077, handled by Salini Nigeria Limited; the dualisation of the Suleja-Lambata-Minna Road, Phase II in Niger State Contract No: 6267, handled by Salini Nigeria Limited; the dualisation of the Ilorin, Jebba-Mokwa-Bokani Junction Road Section I; Jebba-Mokwa-Bokani Junction in Kwara and Niger States, handled by CGC Nigeria Limited; the dualisation of the Ilorin, Jebba-Mokwa-Bokani Junction Road Section II; Jebba-Mokwa-Bokani Junction in Kwara and Niger States, handled by CGC Nigeria Limited; the reconstruction of the Bida-Lapai-Lambata Road in Niger State Contract No: 6272, handled by CGC Nigeria Limited; the rehabilitation of the Mokwa-Makera-Tejina-Kaduna road in Niger State handled by CGC Nigeria Limited; the rehabilitation of the Minna-Zungeru-Tegina-Kontagora Road in Niger State (Section 2) handled by Gilmor Engineering Nigeria Limited; the construction of the Minna-Zungeru-Tegina Road in Niger State Contract No: 7732, handled by Develeco Nigeria Limited/HMF Construction Limited; and the reconstruction of the Bida-Cernu-Wushishi-Zungeru Road in Niger State, Phase I, Contract No: 8492, handled by Gerawa Global Engineering Limited.