By Angela Atabo
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has sanctioned senior officers of the Ministry of Works over delays and alleged misconduct within the execution of the Mararaba–Keffi expressway mission.
Umahi, whereas inspecting the highway on Friday in Abuja, ordered the fast elimination of the Controller of Works assigned to the mission.
He additionally issued a agency deadline of Feb. 28 for the completion and handover of the 43-kilometre Mararaba–Keffi hall by China Harbour Engineering Firm, the contractor dealing with the mission.
The minister accused the affected official of approving certificates for palliative works that have been both not executed or left incomplete.
He directed the Everlasting Secretary of the ministry to redeploy the affected officer and assign one other Controller to take over the mission with fast impact.
Studying the riot act to workers members, Umahi mentioned: “No person can be spared.
“Self-discipline is our watchword. Diligence is our watchword. Doing the work we’re paid to do is our watchword.
“When motion is taken, no quantity of pleading will reverse it. I report on to Mr. President.”
Umahi defined that ministry officers supervising tasks have the authority to implement ministerial directives and will escalate any contractor’s non-compliance to larger authorities at once, together with denial of certificates the place mandatory.
He additionally instructed the corporate dealing with the Mararaba-Keffi highway to submit an in depth work timetable and a written dedication confirming its readiness to fulfill the February deadline.
The minister gave a directive for the fast elimination of hand-moulded caps alongside the highway, instructing that concreting of the median ought to start with out additional delay, alongside the set up of solar-powered streetlights throughout the complete stretch.
Umahi expressed dissatisfaction with the tempo of labor and attributed the persistent lapses not solely to the contractor but in addition to negligence by officers of the Ministry of Works assigned to oversee the mission.
“I’m supplying you with the tip of February at hand over this job. You have to come to my workplace on Wednesday together with your timetable and a dedication to finish the mission by then.
“I’ve been right here greater than eight occasions. Now the issue is my workers, and as we speak I’ll set an instance of what 2026 can be like.”
The minister known as on contractors and ministry workers to discharge their obligations diligently within the curiosity of Nigerians.
He mentioned that sanctions imposed on erring officers would stand except reversed by the President. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Oluwole Sogunle
