Umahi Begins Road Inspections, Urges Contractors to Return Unused Funds

•Pledges non-discriminatory policy  

•Says no civil servant can frustrate him

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi, yesterday told federal government contractors still holding on to unused funds for various reasons, even with pending jobs, to return the monies.

The former Ebonyi State governor who spoke while addressing scores of contractors in Abuja, also said although “powerful people” may have recommended them, he only deferred to President Bola Tinubu and God.

Insisting that there was no time to waste, Umahi who also responded to concerns on well-meaning ministers being frustrated by civil servants in the past, stated that he would only be won over by superior arguments and not mischief by any worker.

“I am already seeing the end of my tenure. I want to make changes that Nigerians will appreciate. Let your minds be flexible. I am sure you will support me for the changes we want,” he said.

Umahi, an engineer, told the contractors that if for any reason they are unable to move to site for now, but they are still with government money, when the situation improves, the monies would be returned to them.

“But let all the contractors that got money but could not move to site due to security problems or other problems, be ready to return the monies and when the security improves, we will give you back the money. If you have been paid and you have not worked up to the money you were paid, please do,” he warned.

The minister who immediately went on an inspection tour of the Abuja-Lokoja Highway, stated that the contractors handling the road must get to work because it’s the gateway to the federal capital. He, however stressed that he was willing to substitute inactive contractors.

“Some of you were introduced by very powerful people, but God almighty and Mr. President are more powerful than those people. Mine is to let you make your profit, but you must do the work for Nigerians. Nigerians are yearning for change,” he added.

He told the contractors that when they take government money and don’t work, leading to loss of lives and kidnapping on the highways, they will draw the wrath of the almighty.

“I have been told that some people took money, but they didn’t go to site once and they were even paid double. I am going to see it. And I can tell you that my godfathers are the president and God almighty. These are my godfathers,” he reiterated.

Responding to local contractors who complained of being discriminated against compared to their foreign counterparts, Umahi assured that it won’t happen under his watch.

On the issue of compensation for landowners which delays work, Umahi stated that many governors were not being carried along in the process. He noted that as Governor of Ebonyi state, most information he got on the matter was from third parties.

He also stated that it didn’t work in the past because the federal government tended to do the arithmetic in Abuja, whereas states were expected to pay from their budgets.

Describing it as unacceptable to many governors, Umahi said after the ministry has done the needful and some states were still not cooperating, they would be skipped for roads in less problematic states.

“Another issue is that these compensations are inflated. If we are going to pay compensation, allow the states to run the figures. You can’t run the figures here in Abuja and give to the states to pay.

“It’s their money. They must be allowed to use the rates in the states to pay compensation in line with their laws,” he maintained.

Meanwhile, Umahi has assured road users that his tenure as the minister of works would ensure that the roads are put in proper conditions for all Nigerians. He was speaking at a reception in his honour by the Ebonyi State government in Abuja.

The minister pledged that Nigerians would witness vigour, diligence and commitment to road infrastructural development under his watch.

He added that any road constructed under his leadership would exceed six years without the need for maintenance.

Also at the event were the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who was represented by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibril, Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma.

Other dignitaries at the occasion included: Governor Yahaya Bello of  Kogi State;  Bisi Akande; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, among others.