Public Works Minister Warns Contractors on Calabar-Itu Construction ProjectPublic Works Minister Warns Contractors on Calabar-Itu Construction Project The Minister of Public Works, Ing. David Umahi, has issued a stern warning to construction companies Julius Berger, China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (ECECC), and Raynolds Construction Company to immediately commence work on the Calabar-Itu construction site. If they fail to comply, their contracts risk termination. President Tinubu to Launch Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in August The minister also announced that President Bola Tinubu will officially launch the construction of the Cross River and Akwa Ibom sections of the Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway in August. Compensation Issues Resolved by Akwa Ibom Government Umahi addressed concerns from contractors regarding compensation for affected communities. He emphasized that the Akwa Ibom State government had already resolved these issues specifically for the Calabar-Itu road. Deadline for Contractors to Mobilize to Site The minister revealed that a 14-day notice had been issued to the contractors. After its expiration next week, any company that has not mobilized to the site will face contract termination. RCC Accused of Wastage Umahi expressed disappointment with Raynolds Construction Company (RCC), which is responsible for the Akwa Ibom to Cross River via Itu and Odukpani sections. According to him, RCC had received over N40 billion but had only completed 15 kilometers of the road, wasting N156 billion inherited from the previous government. Akpabio Warns against Obstructions Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged the Akwa Ibom State government and its residents to refrain from supporting contractors who are delaying the Akwa Ibom-Calabar axis of the Coastal Road. He emphasized the need for peace and cooperation to ensure timely project completion.
Minister of Public Works Ing. David Umahi has issued a fresh warning to construction giant Julius Berger, China Civil Engineering and Construction Company and Raynolds Construction Company to come to the Calabar-Itu construction site. Otherwise, they risk having their contracts terminated.
He also disclosed that President Bola Tinubu will kick off the construction of the Cross River and Akwa Ibom section of the Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway in August this year.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, said this while addressing the Stakeholders’ Engagement on Alignment of 3b and 4 of the Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway, held on Saturday at Ibom Hall, Uyo Akwa Ibom State.
The minister said that upon the expiration next week of the 14 notices previously given to the contractors, this contract will be terminated for any of them who have not been mobilized to the site.
Umahi expressed disappointment that the contractors gave excuses for not arriving on site, namely not paying compensation. He noted that the Akwa Ibom State government had already resolved the compensation issues relating to the Calabar-Itu road.
He said: “If you talk to them, they will say it is because of compensation, and this governor, Akwa-Ibom State, has resolved compensation issues and that is why we are giving them marching orders to ECECC to mobilise at least three sections of that state away.
“Mr. President has given enough money to finance the projects. The same goes for Julius Berger, by the end of this coming week, if Julius Berger fails to mobilize again to the location and the ECECC fails to mobilize to at least three sections of the road, then the jobs ended.
“The worst road in the entire south-south region remains this Akwa Ibom to Cross River via Itu and Odukpani and also the section covered by RCC.
“RCC had collected over N40 billion from that road, 15 kilometers of roads, N156 billion inherited from the previous government, they are playing tricks. We have urged them to change their mindset and by the end of next week our 14 day notice period will expire and we will terminate the projects and give them to those who are masters in laying concrete.”
Also, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, warned the Akwa Ibom State Government and its people against supporting contractors to manage the Akwa Ibom-Calabar axis of the Coastal Road.
Akpabio said: “These companies need peace, support and cooperation from our people to deliver the project in record time. I congratulate Governor Umo Eno for initiating this federal project during his time.
“We are happy that as a state we have a path from the federal government. As governor, I was not fortunate enough to see this done, but I took it upon myself because it is the Akwa Ibom people who use the road.”
