Aba–Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway: Umahi gives CCECC 14-day ultimatum

By John Alechenu, Abuja

The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has directed that a 14-day announcement of termination beryllium issued to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) implicit what helium described arsenic the company’s mediocre handling of the Aba-bound conception of the Aba–Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway.

He besides ordered that the task beryllium descoped and re-awarded to a much competent indigenous contractor.

Umahi expressed disappointment that CCECC had repeatedly failed to comply with the caller operation codes and regulations, contempt respective warnings and reminders from the Ministry.

Speaking during an on-the-spot appraisal of the project, the Minister faulted the firm’s substandard work, peculiarly connected the Port Harcourt-bound lane, which helium said had deteriorated hardly 2 years aft completion.

This was contained successful a connection signed by his Special Adviser connected Media, Barr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, successful Abuja.

Umahi said, “If you get to the Port Harcourt end, which they did astir 2 years ago, the full roadworthy has astir wholly failed. We person been penning to them to support this road.

“They person refused, and truthful I person to instrumentality work and marque decisions. Number one, the Port Harcourt-bound lane is descoped — it volition nary longer beryllium handled by CCECC.

“I volition nonstop the Ministry of Works to scout for qualified indigenous contractors to instrumentality implicit the Port Harcourt-bound section. They should beryllium acceptable to mobilize instantly portion we benignant retired funding.

“Number two, for the conception presently handled by CCECC, they should beryllium issued a 14-day announcement of termination. If, aft 14 days, they neglect to mill retired and regenerate the defective binder, the occupation volition beryllium terminated.”

He emphasized that the contractor indispensable perpetrate successful penning to rectify the defects astatine its ain cost, adjacent if the enactment resumes during the adust season.

“Even if they are going to bash it during the adust season, they indispensable support the sections already done and supply written assurance that they volition mill retired the binder furniture — which we person paid for — and regenerate it properly,” Umahi added.

The Minister, however, commended Arab Contractors O.A.O. Nigeria Limited for their prime enactment connected the Enugu–Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway, describing the task arsenic 1 nearing completion and gathering the ministry’s standards.

Umahi besides acknowledged the challenges of inherited roadworthy projects nationwide and expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued enactment successful revamping Nigeria’s roadworthy infrastructure sector.

The station Aba–Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway: Umahi gives CCECC 14-day ultimatum appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.