Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has said that as a way to improve Nigerian roads, the ministry has abolished surface dressing and price variations by contractors handling various road projects across the country.
Umahi, who disclosed this in his keynote address at the 29th meeting of the National Council on Works held at Re Meritonia Hotel, said this is the first time such a meeting has been held in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
The theme for the 29th meeting of the National Council On Works is ‘unlocking infrastructural potentials and opportunities as a catalyst for sustainable development under the Renew Hope Agenda.’
Umahi said, “This is the first time and a major feat in Ebonyi State. It involves permanent secretaries and commissioners of works of the 36 states and the representative of the federal capital territory.
“I commend the presence of the director of the Ministry of Works for re-writing the history of the ministry. There is a need for stakeholders to work together to turn around the sector and to facilitate access of Nigerians to roads for economic prosperity and national unity.
“It is our responsibility to improve the state of our roads. Mr President is not deterred; he is committed to working on abandoned projects, especially those within the economic zone.
“We have abolished surface dressing in the Ministry of Works. Within one or three months you complete the road, and the surface starts failing. We also abolish the variation of price in the Ministry of Works.
“On the issue of mobilisation, we have come up with a condition of mobilisation. People mobilise and run away. There is a need for training and re-training of our supervisors. It is important. The gains of this conference will be seen in our radical progress in the road infrastructure,” he said.
While declaring the meeting open, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, said that the meeting will address issues relating to contract deficits and ensure the timely execution of contracts.
He said: “The National Council on Works has drawn a road map for sustainable development of projects. It is a commitment of the dear President towards addressing the deficits on our roads. I thank Mr President and David Umahi for the national emergency on our roads. Our minister is operating on familiar terrain. He gave us the best road network and opened our rural communities.
“The entire state is receiving infrastructural attention. This is because the quality of infrastructure is needed for sustainable development. Works is the tripod on which other sectors are hinged. We have completed 700 kilometres of roads across the state.
Speaking earlier, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Works, Stanley Lebechi, who appreciated stakeholders in the works sector, assured of judicious use of resolutions that will be reached at the end of the meeting.
