The federal government has officially terminated the contract for Section 1 of the Kano-Maiduguri road project, which was awarded to Dantata & Sawoe Ltd in 2007. This decision was announced in a statement released Saturday by Uchenna Orji, Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Works.
According to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, the termination was due to the contract’s expiration. He emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that long-standing infrastructure projects are completed on time and provide value for money.
Umahi also indicated that the government plans to revisit and revise the liability period for all federal projects to ensure durability and optimal value for public funds. He stated, “Going forward, there will be a clear agreement on milestone completion timelines for ongoing projects under the Tax Credit Scheme. My position as the Minister of Works is that everybody must take responsibility. We will no longer fold our hands and allow the projects we have awarded and even reviewed to continue to linger.”
Response to Flood Damage in Bauchi State
In addition to the contract termination, Umahi addressed the flood damage on a section of the Kano-Maiduguri road within Bauchi State. He assured Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed of immediate intervention to repair the damaged section. Umahi has instructed a technical team from the Ministry of Works to assess the situation and recommend urgent solutions to restore access and alleviate the difficulties affected communities face.
Umahi remarked, “It’s unfortunate that when contractors complete a job, we don’t even enjoy the road for five years before we’re back to square one. I’ve been advocating against the one-year liability period; poorly executed jobs can last a year, but not five.” He also directed Mothercart Ltd, the original contractor for the damaged section, to join the assessment team to determine why the road failed.
Additional Insights
The Minister praised Dangote Plc for its contributions to the Apapa-Oworonshoki Expressway, the Lekki-Deep Seaport road, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe road in Kaduna. He also commended BUA for its work on the Lokoja-Benin Highway at Ekpoma. Umahi urged Mainstream Energy Solutions to expedite their efforts on their respective projects.
Umahi reassured that the government remains dedicated to ensuring that Nigerians experience the benefits of these infrastructure investments, focusing on making the nation’s roads safer, more reliable, and a catalyst for economic growth.
