FG sacks RCC, three other firms for delaying dualization of Obajana-Benin road
The Federal Government has terminated the road construction contracts it signed with four construction companies, working on the dualization of the Obajana-Benin Road, Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi has said.
According to the Minister, the Federal Ministry of Works terminated the contracts with Mothercat, Dantata, Sawoe, and RCC firms because of non-performance and delays in dualizing sections II, III, and IV of the Obajana-Benin Roads. He warned that all funded but unfulfilled contracts would be cancelled.
Engr. Umahi said, “The Federal Ministry of Works has terminated its contracts with Mothercat, Dantata and Sawoe, and RCC companies due to delays and non-performance in the dualization of the Obajana-Benin Roads, specifically sections II, III, and IV.
“We have also issued a warning that all funded but non-performing contracts will be terminated,” he added.
The Minister stated the projects affected include, the dualization of the Obajana-Benin road, section II (Okene-Auchi) in Kogi/Kogi States; the dualization of Obajana-Benin road, section III (Auchi-Ehor) in Edo State and the dualization of Obajana-Benin road, section IV (Ehor-Benin) in Edo State.
Engr. Umahi stressed that the need to terminate these contracts arose from the contractors’ substantial delays and inability to fulfil their contractual duties as outlined in the Standard Conditions of Contracts.
“This non-performance has hindered the timely completion of the projects, leading to the expiration of the contracts due to effluxion of time,” the Minister explained.
According to the Minister, the projects were awarded on December 3, 2012, and abandoned by the contractors. He emphasized that although the contractors acknowledged the Federal Government’s considerations, they did not show sincere dedication or good faith towards completing the projects. The poor state of the roads owing to the negligence has put users of the roadways through extreme hardship.
“In light of these circumstances, we have decided to terminate the contracts and direct other bodies to take over from the affected companies to ensure the projects’ completion,” Engr. Umahi concluded.
