Minister of works, David Umahi, has said the federal government plans to complete 5,550-kilometre road projects in 2024.
He said the government will construct at least 150km road each in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The minister stated this during a meeting with contractors at the Ministry of Works in Abuja, where he also said that use of asphalt for road construction is not banned.
The target excludes the palliative work and other special projects embarked upon by the federal government.
The 5,550-kilometre road network target according to the minister is the minimum for the year.
“Can we have about 150km of road completed in 2024 in each state. What does that mean? If we have five contractors working together in the same state then 150km divided by five is 30km so it‘s achievable,” he said.
He said the ministry would no longer allow contractors close site for one month to observe any festivities.
“Some of you close site from December 15 and reopen January 15. We‘ll no longer allow contractors close site for a whole one month in 2024,” he said.
Speaking on plans to clear the N1.5 trn project debts, he said the federal government has set up a verification committee to verify contractors certificates and recommend payments.
„I want to assure you that every verification made will be paid, we are going to have automated payment system. You are requested to come up with proof of how these debts are incurred,“ he said.
He warned that only registered and certified COREN members are allowed to be on sites.
He said the federal government has divided the road projects into 12 zones.
The minister also revealed that president has directed a review of FERMA to make it effective.
He charged controllers to do everything possible to clear highways, adding that the federal government is working to introduce solar lights and others to make highways safe and reintroduce night travels.
Umahi barred contractors from carrying out earth work without deploying necessary equipment on site.
He explained that asphalt material was not banned but that the government is only trying to cut down on its geometric pricing.
„We have not banned the use of asphalt but it is to moderate the escalation of prices on asphalt. And in 2024 going forward, some projects will still be on asphalt the shoulders that are on concrete and some will be fully on concrete. There are some places that we must make our roads fully on concrete,“ he said.
The minister disclosed that the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has approved 80 percent of palliative allocation.
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