We are not evacuatable. So we have to make sacrifices to support Mr. President.
The Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi has reiterated his commitment and unwavering determination at ensuring that nigerians get quality value for all contracts awarded by the Federal Government even in the face of sponsored blackmail and falsehood often published by detractors against his office.
Umahi restated the fact that “it was not unexpected for a person who wants a positive change from ‘the business as usual’ attitude of some contractors. So I am open to all the attacks, to all the blackmails.”
The Minister stated this when the Association of Ministry of Works’ Contractors (AMWC) paid him a courtesy visit recently.
In a statement signed by Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Works, the Association of Ministry of Works Contractors, Mabushi-Abuja commended the Renewed Hope administration of the President, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the seamless arrangement in the payment of money to contractors handling road projects in the Federal Ministry of Works and the uncommon commitment to best standards and speed in project delivery now witnessed in the Ministry under the administration of Mr. President.
“At least let it be that our quarrel is not because I am asking them to give me money, but to cut down on cost, in line with the economic realities of the country, where everybody must make sacrifices. The indigenous contractors are as committed as us. We have already sailed. The ship is at the high sea. If it goes bad, all of us will go in. But if the ship goes bad, there are some people, who have people to send a plane to come and evacuate them. We are not evacuatable. So we have to make sacrifices to support Mr. President.”
Receiving the delegation, the Honourable Minister charged the contractors to continue to work for the future of Nigeria by making sacrifices that would support the economic recovery plans of the Renewed Hope administration of Mr. President.
He commended the Association for their support, encouragement, and cooperation to the new policies and innovations of the Federal Ministry of Works.
He expressed the commitment of the Ministry in giving the indigenous contractors a level playing ground and equal opportunities in the award of contracts in the Ministry but harped on the need for all contractors to strictly adhere to procurement and job specifications, greater speed and best standard as the road infrastructure is the life-wire of the economy of every nation. He further harped on the need for contractors to prepare to cut down costs in line with the economic realities of the country, having in mind the need for all to contribute towards alleviating the suffering of Nigerians.
“And so let me thank you people for putting yourselves together to come. And thanks so much for your commendation of our modest achievements. I am very proud of the indigenous contractors. I have been on site to see some of your jobs, and I have confidence in you.”
He expressed hope that with Mr. President’s commendable and timely intervention on road infrastructure development and the timely release of funds to contractors, the contractors would deliver, and the economy would be alive again. He said, “We have to take back the country, to rescue our people from sufferings based on terrible roads. Road is everything. If we have good roads, kidnapping will reduce, insecurity will reduce, commerce will increase, transportation costs will become cheaper. Social activities will be there. You can see the cost of the flight now. So if the flight is increased, poor people can use the road. Then it is a problem. So we should have a conscience. Place God first for God represents the people in all that we do.”
Speaking during the courtesy call, the spokesperson of the Association, Alhaji Abdul-hareen Smith said that they came as a delegation of the contractors drawn from the six Geo-politcal Zones of the Federation to convey their unwavering solidarity to the Honourable Minister of Works and support to all the policies and programmes of the Ministry under the Renewed Hope administration for the wonderful infrastructural programmes currently going on in the sector. “We have seen the good work you have been doing since your assumption of office. We have seen a lot. We have seen some passion that you put into the work, and that is uncommon. The members that cut across the six Geo-political Zones have sent us to tell you that we appreciate all the effort you are doing and that we are solidly behind you and all your programmes.”They thanked him for the introduction of concrete technology for Nigerian roads and other innovations, which, according to them, was a game changer for Nigeria’s economic regeneration. He said. “We have seen a lot of changes in some of the things that you have brought about since your assumption of office. And maybe I should start with the concrete technology thing, which a lot of us and maybe some other people misconstrued in the first instance when it initially came in. But as of today, we can tell you that concrete technology is something that we have embraced. We have come to embrace it, and we are assuring you that we will do our work diligently whenever the opportunity comes”
