The Nigerian government has reiterated its commitment to its new policy on mobilization fees and road construction quality, emphasizing that there will be no compromise.
During a site visit to Zuba interchange on the Abuja-Kadina-Kano road rehabilitation project on Saturday, the Minister of Works reaffirmed the government’s stance that contractors will no longer receive automatic mobilization payments.
Instead, according to him, they must first demonstrate financial capacity and execute permanent work for 30 days before qualifying for the 30% mobilization fee.
“The Procurement Act states that a client ‘may’ pay mobilization, not ‘must’ or ‘shall.’ We adjusted this clause and made it clear that mobilization is not automatic.
“If you claim financial capacity during bidding, we expect you to start work immediately. No contractor in the Ministry of Works will receive mobilization without first being on-site for at least 30 days doing permanent work.”
The contract for the ongoing project is valued at ₦252 billion, with 30% mobilization amounting to ₦75 billion, with the contractor given 14 months from the signing date to complete the work.
The Minister explained that terminating the previous contractor’s contract was a necessary step to uphold engineering principles and ensure efficiency.
He also confirmed that by mid-March, continuous reinforced concrete paving would begin on the road: “By the first week of March, concrete will start coming on this road.
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“Even if I project it to March 10th, before the middle of the month, you will see excellent eight-inch continuous reinforced concrete on the road,” he noted
Commending Infiouest International (Nigeria) Ltd for adhering to the new requirements and delivering quality work, the Minister noted that the company had exceeded the 30-day minimum work period without payment.
“Infiouest has fulfilled that requirement, and we will now apply for his 30% mobilization. We will be on Infouest’s neck to ensure this project is completed as planned.”
The Minister also revealed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) would consider the approval of Section 2 of the project this week, confirming that the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has completed the procurement process and that the FEC will approve the recommended contractor.
The Managing Director of Infouest Construction Company, Joseph Abougaoude, who acknowledged the scale of the project and the high expectations from the government, disclosed that the Minister had even offered personal funds to ensure immediate mobilization, demonstrating the seriousness of the initiative.
“The Minister told me, ‘Mobilize to site, and if you need money, I am ready to give you my personal money.’
“That made me realise the challenge he has taken on his shoulders. I accepted the challenge, and we have worked tirelessly for the past three months. You can see the results,” he said.
Abougaoude pledged to deliver high-quality work within the agreed timeframe, adding, “I promise to deliver the best quality work and respect the project timeline. I understand the weight of this responsibility, and I am sharing in the challenge.”
Regarding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Minister described it as a vital economic corridor linking Nigeria to neighboring countries like Cameroon and Niger Republic.
He also provided updates on other road projects, saying that by mid-year, several would be ready for commissioning, such as Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, whose 30 kilometers will be completed, leaving 17.47 kilometers pending due to settlement issues.
Additionally, he said key segments of the Lekki Deep Seaport road projects, funded under the Dangote Tax Credit Scheme, will be ready. The projects will improve connectivity to the Lagos-Shagamu route and facilitate the transportation of goods.
Similarly, Umahi addressed the previously strained relationship with Julius Berger Nigeria over ongoing projects, highlighting recent improvements and a renewed understanding between both parties.
He said that despite the Ministry’s termination of Julius Berger’s contract for the Abuja-Kano highway, the company remains engaged in other major infrastructure projects, such as the Bodo-Bonny Road, Carter Bridge rehabilitation, Third Mainland Bridge maintenance, and Idodo Bridge reconstruction.
“Julius Berger is not out; they are very much in. The new MD understands our policies and respects the engineering standards we uphold. If one plus one is suddenly becoming three, we need to know why. As engineers, we will not be misled.”