Minister of Works David Umahi has lamented the soaring cost of cement, stating that it has adversely impacted infrastructure projects nationwide.
He urged cement manufacturers to lower the price from N9,500 to N7,000, emphasizing that this reduction would support road rehabilitation efforts across Nigeria.
Umahi pointed out that the recent stabilisation of the foreign exchange rate makes this price cut essential for advancing critical infrastructure repairs.
During a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday with the contractor and financier of the Enugu-Onitsha dual carriageway project, managed under the Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment (Tax Credit) Scheme, Umahi directed that the road’s rehabilitation be completed by May 10, 2026.
He also appealed to cement producers to reduce prices, noting that cement is crucial for construction, especially in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement projects, and that the lower dollar rate should reflect in reduced cement costs.
A statement by the minister’s spokesperson, Uchenna Orji, quoting the minister read, “The cost of petrol is coming down, and efforts are being made by Mr President to fix the road. I am happy that the policies of Mr President are working. Today, a dollar is about N1,400. And let me use the opportunity to express dissatisfaction with the cost of cement.
READ ALSO: Lagos-Calabar Highway to be Completed in Tinubu’s Second Term — Umahi
“Our contractors have called and complained that they wanted to move back to asphalt. We are using this medium to tell the cement manufacturers that, at the time, the dollar was almost N2,000; they increased cement from N7,500. Why should today, when the President has brought the dollar to stability to about N1,400 and is still going down, cement be selling for N9,500?
“We are requesting cement manufacturers to bring down the cost of cement to N7,000. If after one week they don’t do that, I have to complain officially to Mr. President.”
Umahi also emphasized that moving forward, no variations will be allowed on the project except in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Conditions of Contract, rather than at the discretion of the contractor.
He reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Works’ steadfast commitment to ensuring that the contractor executing the project under the Tax Credit Scheme delivers the project with high quality and on schedule.
“We have to put the records straight that this ministry has the responsibility to ensure quality delivery of work by contractors,” Umahi said.
He described the multiple inspection visits he made to contractors’ project sites, explaining how his presence compelled them to step up their efforts and maintain high standards and efficiency in project delivery.
He also outlined specific conditions, stating, “The Enugu-Onitsha dual carriageway must be completed by May 10, 2025. If the road deteriorates after construction due to substandard work by the contractor, the financier will be held accountable.”
“There will be no variation or VOP on the project and RCC must note that going forward, the operation of VOP in their projects must be by the procedure contained in the Conditions of Contract and not at the whims and caprices of the contractor.
“The company must not sacrifice the responsibility of funding the project at the altar of MTN’s business profit as this will wittingly or unwittingly inhibit speedy delivery of the project and input on the public perception of the will of the government to ensure logical completion of the project.
“There must be a commitment in writing between MTN and the Federal Ministry of Works that this offer is predicated on these conditions herein set out. There must be a commitment because the more the job delays, the more there is variation.”
(Punch Newspaper)
Follow the Parallel Facts channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
