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AKURE – The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has assured the people of Ondo State that the 63km axis of the Calabar/Lagos coastal highway in the state would begin in November at the completion of the ongoing designing of the road.
He stated this on Thursday during a stakeholders meeting organized by the Federal Ministry of Works on the alignment of the Ondo State 63km segment of the Lagos Calabar coastal highway.
Umahi assured the people that as soon as the designing of the road is completed, works would begin immediately.
He emphasised that at the completion of the road, business potentials of the communities and the state in general would pick up meteorically.
He, however, disclosed that no fewer than 2000 road projects running into trillions of naira were met by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government.
The Minister also disclosed that 10 contracts have been terminated by the Ministry for non performance by the construction companies.
He explained that the President Bola Tinubu-led government has embarked on several legacy projects that would transcend the administration.
Speaking on the incessant sea incursion of the riverine Aiyetoro community in Ondo State, the Minister assured the people that the Federal Government and the state government were committed to restoring the community.
Umahi said: “We have terminated over ten contracts of big companies and we have the mind to terminate more and you can’t dictate for us we will tell you what we want.
“Our books are very much open. We will conclude the design (for Ondo State) within the month of November and we will inaugurate it.
“We have directed that all federal road controllers should give us details of roads within their domain, whether awarded or not, so that by this Christmas, all federal high roads will be motorable.
“We are coming back after your election to start the Aiyetoro project which will get started after these one.
“Nigerians should be grateful that we have a listening president. He is committed to all sectors. This country still has a lot of potentials.”
In his contribution at the meeting, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa commended President Tinubu for the legacy project.
He explained that the coastal highway project is not political, noting that it has started in other sections of the highway
Aiyedatiwa said: “He (Tinubu) is supporting us economically. I want to thank you for all the other projects in the country.
“This projects will be of huge benefit to us, that is why we are going to cooperate with the Federal Government and the contractors.”
Hon. Akin Alabi, Chairman, House Representatives Committee on Works, stated that “We are at the House of Representatives are fully behind the President and Works Minister. Our aim is that at the end of the day, we want Nigeria to work. We have to say bye-bye to the practice of contractors collecting money and not working.
”If contractors are not in site, don’t pay them, that’s one of the biggest scams in the ministry.”
Appreciating the President and the Minister for ensuring the coastal highway passed through the state, a representative of the riverine communities in the state, Banji Okunomo appealed that the Minister should ensure the project is completed at the stipulated time and with total adherence to the specification.
