The Minister of Works in Nigeria, Mr. David Umahi, has publicly criticized foreign road contractors for their substandard construction practices, asserting that they are taking advantage of Nigerians by building roads that quickly deteriorate.

During a meeting with contractors and the media in Abuja, Mr. Umahi emphasized the need for contractors to adhere to international standards and show respect for citizens when undertaking road construction projects.

He highlighted the alarming fact that the roads being constructed in Nigeria have an average lifespan of less than seven years.

“The convenience of the people should always be the top priority in any construction project. However, foreign contractors, unlike in their own countries, often neglect this important aspect. We are being taken for granted. They believe they are doing us a favor, but in reality, they are not. This attitude must come to an end. We demand respect.”

“Travelling from Benin through Lokoja now takes 14 hours, due to the deplorable condition of the roads, which were built under the pitiful policies of the previous administration. How many of these roads are even motorable?”

“I personally experienced this firsthand, spending 14 hours on the road. It was a heartbreaking experience, witnessing the pain our fellow citizens endure. This cannot continue.”

“I have issued a directive that all project managers involved in our contracts, whether expatriates or Nigerians, must be registered with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and have at least 15 years of experience in road construction. I am warning the Regional Directors to ensure compliance with this instruction,” he warned.

In addition to criticizing the expatriate contractors, the Minister also expressed dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Works’ supervisory role, holding civil servants accountable for the inadequate oversight resulting in shoddy work.

“The President allocates funds for projects and expects the Ministry to supervise their implementation. However, they have failed to fulfill this responsibility. If the projects exceed the Federal Government’s funding capacity, who will we hold responsible?

“I am deeply disappointed with the supervision provided by the Ministry of Works staff. Any civil servant hindering the government’s progress should be dismissed. This is my clear policy.”

Reflecting on his visits to various regions of Nigeria, including the North-central, South-south, South-West, and South-east, Mr. Umahi expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of road works and supervision.

“During my visit to the Southwest, I was thoroughly disappointed with the ongoing projects and the level of supervision. Although they received an overall pass mark of 80%, I have reservations about the longevity of these projects.”

“I also traveled to parts of the Northcentral, and I am extremely dissatisfied with the quality of work and supervision carried out by the Ministry of Works. In Kaduna, I strongly disagreed with the design of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road, deeming it excessive. I intend to implement concrete construction for kilometers 0 to 38, as it is in an area with a high water table. This will happen if the contractor supports my decision.”

“Currently, none of the ongoing projects in Nigeria will last for seven years. The question is, do we intend to continuously maintain and reconstruct our roads every ten years?” Mr. Umahi raised.

Furthermore, he emphasized the need for the National Assembly to allocate more funding towards road works.

“I will engage with the National Assembly to discuss the way forward. If they want us to continue with the ongoing projects, we will. However, if there are new projects, we need to find a consensus. This means we may have to halt the ongoing projects and shift focus to the new ones. When I reviewed the proposed budget for 2023 in the Ministry of Works, I was disheartened. It simply won’t suffice.”

“Additionally, we will urge the National Assembly to reconsider the allocation of 530 billion Naira for the ongoing projects in the 2022 appropriation. These funds were given to Mr. President for essential relief efforts, which is commendable. However, once the relief is provided, we need to move forward,” he stated.

Finally, Mr. Umahi made it clear that he will not approve any new road contracts unless they involve concrete planning.