The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has lamented the capacity of contractors to deliver quality and durable roads, stating that construction in the country is riddled with malpractices.
He added that though the engineering methods are not different, the results are not the same. This is a result of some malpractices carried out by the contractors.
The minister made his observation known when the executives of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, led by the President, Azikiwe Onwualu, paid him a courtesy visit on Wednesday in his office in Abuja.
In a statement signed by the Director of Information, Olusola Abiola, the minister, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Yakubu Kofarmata, also pledged to collaborate in the area of road construction and management in the interest of the development of the road sector in the country.
It read, “On the malpractices by some engineers in the construction industry, we discovered that there were a lot of malpractices when we came on board.
“One discovers that a road which is constructed in other parts of the world, which will last 30 or 40 years, is not so in Nigeria. In Nigeria, it lasts at least two or three years.
“Though the engineering methods are not different, the results are not the same. This is a result of some malpractices carried out by the contractors.”
He further pledged to continue to deliver on President Bola Tinubu’s mandate by ensuring that all roads are constructed to specifications and safe.
He said, “This will ensure that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government is not only sustained, it would be seen to be working for Nigerians who deserve to reap the benefits of democracy.
“Mr President, after the swearing-in of ministers, charged the Minister of Works to ensure that not only Trunk A roads, but all federal roads are motorable and safe.
“We have the same goal that will foster a strong collaboration and that is to have a better Nigeria.
We would like to create a virile nation for the upcoming younger generation that is far better than we have met it. So we need this collaboration.”
He added, “I want to use this opportunity to also urge the President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering and its executives to always talk to engineers at every forum.
Please, talk to the engineers to have the country’s interest put first. It must be Nigeria first before any other thing.
“If engineers insist that the right thing is done, the contractors must comply and then we will have a better Nigeria.
Earlier, Onwualu, in his remarks, thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing Umahi, an engineer to run the ministry.
