Nigeria: Federal Government Directs Swift Resumption of Construction on East-West Road in Rivers State
By Ahmad Hadizat Omayoza, Mamos Nigeria
In a recent development, the Federal Government has issued a directive to the construction firm, Mrss Renolds Construction Company RCC, Nigeria Limited, responsible for the Eleme section of the East-West Road in Rivers State, to immediately resume work. This decision follows an unscheduled inspection visit to the project site on January 27, 2024, by the Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi.
During the inspection, the Minister identified infractions on the construction specifications, leading to the suspension of work on the 15 km Eleme to Onne Junction stretch. Subsequently, a meeting was convened with the Permanent Secretary and key directors of the Ministry, alongside the management of RCC Ltd., resulting in resolutions to address the observed issues.
According to a statement from the Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Works, Uchenna Orji, the directive was in line with the resolutions reached at the meeting. The Minister emphasized the need for the construction firm to adhere strictly to the contract specifications in the execution of the project.
This development stems from the earlier suspension of work on the project by the Minister, who raised concerns about substandard jobs. The management of the construction company was subsequently invited to the ministry for discussions aimed at resolving the technical issues impeding progress on the East-West Road.
“The minister further directs the contractors handling the project to resume work on the four sections of the project and in strict compliance with the contract specifications,” the statement added.
As the Federal Government takes decisive steps to ensure the timely and quality completion of the East-West Road project, this directive underscores the commitment to addressing any shortcomings and upholding the standards set for such critical infrastructure.
