FG Makes U-Turn, Orders Contractor To Resume Construction Of Eleme-Onne East-West Road

Barely 24 hours after ordering the suspension of the Eleme-Onne section of the East-West Road in Rivers State, the Federal Government has reversed its suspension directive.

THE WHISTLER on Sunday reported that the Minister of Works, David Umahi, during an inspection visit to the project suspended the ongoing construction over the use of substandard materials.

The affected contractor was Renolds Construction Company.

In a new development contained in a statement signed by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Orji Uchenna, Umahi ordered Reynolds to immediately resume work on all sections of the project in strict compliance with the contract specifications.

The statement reads, “The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed Mrss Renolds Construction  Company  RCC,  Nigeria  Limited to immediately resume work on the 15 km Eleme to Onne Junction on the East-West Road, Rivers State which he suspended during his unscheduled inspection visit to the project site on 27th January 2024, due to observed infractions on the construction specifications.

“This directive is by the resolutions reached in a meeting with the Permanent Secretary and key Directors of the Ministry together with the management of  RCC Ltd at his office at the Federal Ministry of Works, Mabushi- Abuja, this 29th January 2024.

“The Minister had ordered the suspension of work on the project due to substandard jobs and invited the management of the company to report to the Ministry for resolution of technical issues.

“The minister further directs the contractors handling the project to resume work on the four sections of the project and in strict compliance with the contract specifications.

“They are also required to liaise with the Permanent Secretary and the Director in charge of construction to engage with the representatives of the host communities on issues bothering alleged infringement on the contractors’ right of way which, according to them slows down the project.

“The Minister of Works is determined to see to the speedy and quality delivery of Federal Government’s jobs across the nation in line with the vision of the current administration and he is unbending in his resolve not to accept the delivery of jobs that fall short of standard.”