Govt will not Tolerate Defaulting Contractors – Abdulkarim
Recently, the Commissioner of Works and Housing, Dr. Abdulkarim Abubakar, spoke to The Graphic reporters on plans to refocus the Ministry for better service to the people. He spoke on the need to put Resident Engineers on their toes and the need for contractors to complete dependable projects on schedule. Excerpts.

In what ways are you refocusing the state Ministry of Works for challenges ahead?
Yes, as at now, we are now repositioning the Ministry in terms of material specification required to meet up with the bill of quantities. The new directive is that no contractor should do earth work beyond 5 kilometres without surface dressing of the road. The major objective behind it is to avoid road failure. Road failure is occasioned by lengthy earth work which is often eroded by wash out after down-pour. Other adversities are also often seen.
Benefits to be derived from this measure
We can test the quality of services being delivered by contractors. If we discover that the quality does not meet specification, we can easily provide the remedy. Thirdly, it makes commuters enjoy infrastructural services provided by government.
What other aspects of refocusing are you undertaking?
Refocusing involves multi-faceted dimensions. We now have benchmark to supervise project, co-operate and collaborate with the state Project Monitoring Committee in the office of the Governor. We also collaborate with the Monitoring Unit in the Ministry of Budget and Planning as well as the Due Process Unit. The whole processes are intended to ensure that beneficiaries of infrastructure have value for their money. These co-operation and collaborations enhance quality services provided by contractors. It also allows all personnel of government to perform their duties. It is expected that all road projects from now onwards, must meet with quality specification as designed by the Ministry.
Why have you not put contractors on their toes to complete their job?
It is not true to say some contractors have not completed their jobs. In the state, there are 23 on-going and completed projects. The jobs that were completed include Ankpa-Abejukolo Road,-Ayere-Kabba-Olle Road. Those that are nearing completion include Ankpa-ogodo-Acharane and Dekina-Olowa-Abocho-Ogbabede Road.
What happens to non-completed ones?
Some of the roads have problem of difficult terrain and topography, in addition to that, government was not prepared for variation. This also slow-down the pace of work. The contractors must live up to expectation or be shown the way out, a typical example is the road between Egume-Inye-Ofugo Road. There is on-going evaluation of all road contracts. Any one who does not meet with specification will be shown the way out.
So what is the fate of Egume-Elubi-Ogodu-Ofugo Road?
It has been revoked for failing to meet government expectation. The contractor indeed did not meet the quality required in the execution of the project. The contract would soon be reawarded.
How do you handle completion schedule?
Henceforth, all contractors handling road projects are directed to forward their work schedule to Ministry of Works. They must be prepared to adhere strictly to schedule. They must agree that with considerable precision, they must complete the job on schedule. In addition, we have directed our Resident Engineers to sit up with the responsibilities of supervising numerous projects. I have received assurance from them that they would adhere to the new vision. I am trying to develop contacts with various Chairmen to make the jobs of resident engineers easier.
What about direct labour?
Governor Idris is determined to encourage maintenance culture. We have reactivated the maintenance unit of Ministry of Works. We want it to brace up to maintain on-going projects.

Dr. Abdulkarim Abubakar