The Federal Government has given a one-week ultimatum to Julius Berger and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation to remobilize to the Calabar-Itu Road project site or face contract termination.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the warning on Saturday in Uyo during a stakeholders’ engagement on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
He stated that despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s release of funds for the project, the contractors have made minimal progress.
CCECC has only completed 2.5 kilometers of the 35-kilometer road project, while Julius Berger has also failed to show significant progress.
Umahi attributed the delay to compensation issues, which have since been resolved by the Akwa Ibom State Government.
The Minister warned that if the contractors fail to mobilize to the site within the given timeframe, the contracts will be terminated, and the projects will be reassigned to more competent contractors, according to Daily Trust.
This move is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to ensure the timely completion of critical infrastructure projects in the country.
“We use this opportunity to warn CCECC, out of 35 kilometres, they just completed 2.5 kilometres double carriage way and 4.5 on single; that is very terrible. You talk to them, they say it is because of compensation.
“Our dear governor (Pastor Umo Eno) has since settled the compensation issue, so we have given them a marching order to mobilise to at least three sections of the road. Mr President has given enough money to fund the project; the same thing with Julius Berger.
“By the end of this coming week, if Julius Berger fails to remobilise to site, and CCECC fails to get mobilised in at least three sections, the jobs will be terminated.
“The worst of the roads in the entire South-South remains this Akwa Ibom to Cross River through Itu and Udoakpan Ekpo, and also the section that is being done by RCC.
“RCC has collected over N40 billion on that road, 15 kilometres of road, N156 billion inherited from the past administration, we have kept the price even though we don’t believe in it, but since it has been awarded and signed; but they are playing tricks.
“We have been on them to change their minds but by the end of next week, our 14 days notice of termination will elapse and we would terminate the project and give it to those who have mastery in the laying of concrete to come and use concrete in doing those roads,” he said.