The Federal Government is set to commence construction of the Bida-Lapai-Lambata Road project next week.
Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi announced this while fielding questions from journalists at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.
Umahi listed road projects completed by the Tinubu-led administration to include 70km of the Kano-Maiduguri Road, including sections around Hadejia; the 43km Keffi-Mararaba road being handled by China Harbour; the 15km Lafia bypass; and the 7.9km Bonny Island road.
Also, Obajana Junction concrete pavement on the Lokoja-Benin corridor; the Danbatta-Demesu road; Gombe-Bauchi road rehabilitation; the Azare axis linking Jigawa and Bauchi; Apapa five-span bridge; Eke-Obinagu 23-span flyover in Enugu; the 75-metre Tizm Bridge, also in Enugu; and the 24km Sagamu Interchange-Iperu Junction road in Ogun State.
The Minister however issued a stern warning to contractors who failed to commence construction even after collecting mobilisation funds.
He said they they risk sanctions, including action by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC).
Umahi disclosed that the ministry had re-scoped and re-phased projects to improve implementation, warning contractors who had collected funds to return to their sites or risk recovery of the money.
“All the money contractors have in their hands, they must exhaust it to earn more. We have re-scoped the projects, we have re-phased them. From next week, any contractor that has collected money and is not on site, we will call up their APG to recover the money.
“If you have Federal Government money, no matter who is behind you, you will either meet us at the EFCC or we will meet you in your bank to recover the money,” he said.
Furthermore, he informed that the Ministry had also strengthened its project monitoring and supervision mechanism, involving six Senior Special Assistants to the President, the EFCC, ICPC, civil society organisations and student groups.
