At a stakeholder meeting held at the ministry headquarters in Abuja, the Minister of Works expressed dissatisfaction with the delays in federal road projects in Niger State. He warned contractors handling 10 road projects in the state about possible contract termination if they do not expedite the work. The meeting was attended by various stakeholders, including the Governor of Niger State, state assembly members, and the Senate Committee Chairman on Finance.
The Minister criticized contractors for failing to deliver on their projects despite receiving advance payments. He emphasized the need for quality and timely completion of the road projects to ensure value for money. The Minister mentioned specific projects and contractors at risk of termination if they do not improve their performance.
To address the issues, a committee will engage with the contractors before any contract terminations. The statement mentioned that the Niger State Government will recommend consultants for the engineering design of the roads to be supervised properly. The Minister highlighted the importance of completing the projects promptly and meeting the administration’s standards.
During the meeting, the Governor of Niger State raised concerns about the negative impact of delayed projects on the state’s socio-economic conditions and security challenges. The Minister of State for Works expressed the administration’s commitment to improving the construction industry and enhancing Nigeria’s road infrastructure.
Resolutions from the meeting included acknowledging good work by some contractors and advising others to improve their performance. Efforts will be made to allocate funds for specific projects to expedite completion. The stakeholders also discussed terminating contracts with underperforming contractors and reassigning the projects to more competent firms. The meeting aimed to address the issues affecting road construction projects in Niger State and ensure progress in infrastructure development.