MINISTER of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen, on Tuesday, explained the basis of the increment in the contract award sum for Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja road from the initial N40 billion to N116 billion.
The minister, who made the explanation before a Senate committee probing the expenses of the Subsidy Re-investment Programme (SURE-P), explained that the road was awarded in a hurry in 2006 by the Federal Government.
He added that as a result of the rush, the government failed to put in place adequate detailed planning and design for the all important road.
The minister had explained that section one of the road, which covers Abuja International Airport link road junction in Giri, Gwagwalada to Sheda village junction, was awarded to Dantata and Sawoe at the cost of N11.2 billion, while section two, which runs from Sheda village junction to Abaji, was awarded to Reynolds Construction Company at the rate of N9.6 billion.
The third section, from Abaji to Kotonkarfe, according to the minister, was awarded to Bulletine Construction Company at N9.6 billion, while section four, which runs from Kotonkarfe to Lokoja, was awarded to Gitto at the rate of N11.9 billion.
He said while Section four was for 24 months, the other three sections were to be completed in 30 months.
The Director of Highway, Planning and Development in the ministry, Mr Bala Dan Shehu, who also gave details of the expenses on the road, stated that lack of detailed geotechnical soil investigations, inadequate quantities, substandard design and specifications also led to the shortfall in the initial cost.
He stated that provisions were not made for the reconstruction and complete strengthening of the existing carriageway which, he said, witnessed severe rots and dilapidation by 2008.
He added that the review of the rates by the Ministry of Works from N42 billion to N116 billion had followed procurement due process, following the recommendations of a committee set up by the permanent secretary.
[Tribune]
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