The Minister of Works, David Umahi, on Monday, conducted an inspection of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road, where construction activities have resumed following a temporary halt. The pause was attributed to a debt owed to the contractor by the previous administration.
This action was prompted by a 14-day ultimatum given to the construction firm, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), by the Federal Government the previous month.
The government had warned of contract termination due to the company’s reluctance to resume work on the site.
During the inspection of the ongoing construction, Umahi announced that the federal government had rescinded the warning letter, as work had resumed on the road despite the outstanding debt.
“The warning letter given to CCECC is hereby revoked. The pace of work is excellent. The job quality is excellent, and the controller in charge of the job sends me updates on work every day. The paucity of funds is economically being managed,” he said.
Of the overall project and the completion date, the Minister said, “Beyond Abia State, you know this project runs from Enugu to Port Harcourt. So, the section being handled by CCECC is going well. By April they would have finished their section – that is the 61 kilometres, while the other 61 kilometres left will be handled by the Arab Contractors.”
Although the payment issue is pending, the contractors have the assurance of President Bola Tinubu that they will get paid, according to Umahi.
“In confidence, the President asked them to go back to work, and they are back to work. Money will be made available to them. CCECC has since tripled their pace on the job and the road quality is standard,” the Minister said.