MINISTER ORDERS FERMA TO PROVIDE LIST OF DEFAULTING CONTRACTORS

Read Time:2 Minute, 2 Second

Chukwuemeka Agbasi, the managing director of the Federal Emergency Roads Maintenance Agency, has been instructed by Mohammed Goronyo, the minister of state for works, to submit a list of contractors who have not completed the road projects that were given to them.

The directive was given by the minister while on his familiarization visit of FERMA’s South West area, where the State Coordinators gave reports on their work’s progress, difficulties, and expectations.

Mohammed Ahmed, the Director of Press and Public Relations for the Ministry, revealed the decision in a statement on Tuesday.

In addition, Goronyo cautioned noncompliant contractors to refrain from causing more delays. He made it clear that breaking the conditions of the contract would have dire repercussions, such as possible fines, contract termination, and disqualification from future bidding.

He stated, “The era of abandoning projects is over.”
“These contracts are awarded and paid for with taxpayers’ money, who expect value in return,” he added.

Additionally, he instructed that the list of contractors who have fallen behind be sent to FERMA headquarters by next week at the latest.

The minister suggested forming a robust Technical Committee to oversee and evaluate the quality of FERMA projects nationwide.

Although he acknowledged the significant, difficult, and serious challenges FERMA has, he maintained that they are not insurmountable.

Goronyo praised the South West states’ Federal Road Management Engineers and promised to address all of their issues in order to improve FERMA’s success.

“The country must tighten its belt and confront these challenges head-on,” he declared. “We now have a President who is determined to tackle these challenges without complaint.”

“We must be ready to support one another, approach things differently, and support His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in delivering on his mandate,” he added.

Goronyo also promised to visit contract sites on an as-needed basis to personally witness contractors’ dedication, reaffirming that employee welfare is still of utmost importance.

READ ALSO:

JUST IN : PENCOM LIFTS BAN ON PFAS INVESTING IN COMMERCIAL PAPERS

Relatedly, Goronyo started a solar-powered streetlight project in Lagos State’s Isale-Eko neighborhood, which was made possible by FERMA.

In line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, he emphasized the project’s ability to address security issues and enhance the socioeconomic circumstances in the region.

In order to stop criminal elements from vandalizing the project, the minister urged the communities to take responsibility for it.