Victor EzejaMinister of Works, Engr David Umahi, has demanded that MTN should commit to paying contractors handling the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway a minimum of N15 billion every month for the next 10 months to fast track the completion of the project.
The minister said that failure to do so might lead to termination of the project.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThis was the resolution reached during a courtesy call on the Minister by a delegation from the Anambra and Enugu caucus of the 10th National Assembly.
The lawmakers are seeking the intervention of the Federal Government on the completion of the construction of Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, being handled by RCC and funded by MTN under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
The call for fast tracking the completion of the road construction project was necessitated by the recent tanker explosion which claimed many lives at the Ugwu Onyeama axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.
The minister and the lawmakers also resolved that MTN would need three contractors to do 79 kilometres within the original contract sum of N202 billion, while the remaining 72km of the road shall be awarded to other contractors, and that MTN and RCC would be invited to bid too.
This was made known in a statement issued by the media aide to the minister, Uchenna Orji, on Saturday.
Orji said the minister informed the people of the South-East that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is committed to transforming the zone’s transport infrastructure, as is the case with all other geopolitical zones in the country.
The minister, who expressed deep sympathy for the lives lost during tanker explosion along the unfinished sections of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, stated that the people of the South-east have every reason to believe in Tinubu’s ability to address the zone’s road infrastructure challenges.
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The minister urged the people of the South-east to be grateful to Tinubu, noting that since the president assumed office, cases of farmers and herders clashes in the region have stopped.
Speaking on projects, Umahi stated that the president inherited 2,064 projects, totalling about N13 trillion, but today, the cost has doubled reaching, over N20 trillion because of the floating of the Naira and the removal of fuel subsidy.
While noting that the hike in cost of the projects is no body’s fault, the minister assured that the president is committed to carrying out bold reforms that would lead to sustainable development of the country.
Leader of the delegation and the Senate’s Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu, applauded the minister for the exceptional pace of road construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance across the country.
He, however, voiced concerns that some of the projects were not receiving adequate funds to be completed on time.
Ngwu stated that some sections of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway have become death trap to road users because of inadequate funding to facilitate completion of the project.
Ngwu stated lawmakers’ willingness to provide necessary assistance in addressing the issues and impediments encountered by the Ministry in completing the route.
“We appreciate that since the minister assumed office that the President has graciously approved quite a number of projects in the South-East. We appreciate Mr. President, but we are worried that it is not just about putting projects across our zone, but when these projects are not funded, it looks like it is just a game.
“We are worried that some of the projects that are in the South-East are not receiving funds that can make it progress so that we can have benefits for such projects. And when it is not funded, it becomes a worry to us.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
