The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has issued a stern warning to federal infrastructure contractors who have received government funds but failed to mobilize to their assigned project sites, noting they will face immediate legal and financial consequences.
Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja, the minister expressed frustration over contractors prioritizing state-level assignments over federal projects after collecting advance payments. He stressed that the administration will no longer entertain political lobbying or third-party interventions to shield non-performing entities.
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Key Highlights of the Ministerial Directive
- Anti-Graft Intervention: Defaulting firms face direct investigation and asset recovery processes through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
- Aggressive Oversight: The ministry has deployed a multi-layered monitoring network consisting of six Senior Special Assistants to the President, anti-graft personnel, civil society organizations, and student oversight groups.
- Project Rescoping: To clear implementation bottlenecks, several federal arteries have been re-phased, and any firm failing to utilize existing funds will face immediate Advance Payment Guarantee (APG) liquidations.
Despite delays from underperforming partners, Umahi highlighted several completed milestones ready for commissioning, including sections of the Kano-Maiduguri Road, the Keffi-Mararaba corridor, the Lafia bypass, and the Bonny Island road.
The federal government maintained that public funds disbursed for national infrastructure must reflect physical progress on site, warning that political patronage will no longer protect defaulting contractors.
