The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi on Monday, read the riot act to contractors handling road constructions across the country over the use of asphalt for road construction.
Umahi, an advocate of concrete road pavement, who spoke during a press briefing held in his office in Abuja, said any contractor who insists on asphalt road must sign an agreement that it will last for at least thirty years.
The minister explained that his preference for concrete roads is because of their durability, saying that it has at least 50 years of shelf life.
He said it would reduce the pressure on the naira, boost the economy of the country, and create employment since there are indigenous companies producing cement, unlike bitumen that is being imported for asphalt.
Umahi also denied the allegation that he was sidelining the Directors of the ministry, disclosing that he carries along the Directors and accepts their opinions when they are better than his because he is open to advice and accepts superior arguments
He said he was aware of the campaign of calumny by some individuals who are not ready to accept the fact that things must be done from the right perspective.
Umahi, who noted that some detractors were set to frighten him so that he would not question some wrongdoings, said that no amount of blackmail could deter him.
He revealed that a lot of work is not going on in the South East and announced that he will be going there on inspection and whoever has received money for a bad job or an undone job will be compelled to go back and do what he has been paid for.
The minister challenged those who were threatening to go to court to do so because the Ministry had not done anything outside the limits of the law.
He said the ministry has always engaged its contractors in agreement with the General condition of contracts which is the standard that all engineers are expected to abide by.
Umahi also read out clause 51 of the agreement which empowers the Ministry to direct a contractor to change from asphalt to concrete layout.
