RECONSTRUCT FAILED ROADS WITH CONCRETE — UMAHI ORDERS FERMA

REPORTER: AMECHI ODO

The Minister of Works, Chief David Umahi has directed immediate review of all road projects awarded with cost augmentation across the country.

He stated this during the inspection of some federal roads in Ebonyi State.

Chief Umahi, who said no road project should last more than four years, emphasized that the measure was not aimed at probing contractors but to determine the reason behind cost augmentation of road projects in the country.

“Even though PPP would have approved, If I feel the augmentation is not necessary, I will bring down the cost. So we are going to have six regions with team of consultants to look at the augmentations.

“I am not against augmentations but I want to be able to answer and defend whatever augmentation that is right,” he stated.

The Minister also directed the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, to henceforth use concrete pavement in the reconstruction of failed road portions in the state.

The Minister, who inspected the Abakaliki-Afikpo and the Amasiri-Nguzu-Ohafia roads, directed FERMA to undertake the repair of some failed road shoulders in Edda.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU