Road projects: Tinubu wants indigenous contractors empowered

The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi has said that President Bola Tinubu has given a clear mandate to the ministry to empower and encourage indigenous contractors. He, however, added the contractor handling the Oyo-Ogbomoso dual carriageway project, JRB Construction Company Ltd and other local contractors are already fulfilling the clear mandate the president gave […]

The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi has said that President Bola Tinubu has given a clear mandate to the ministry to empower and encourage indigenous contractors.

He, however, added the contractor handling the Oyo-Ogbomoso dual carriageway project, JRB Construction Company Ltd and other local contractors are already fulfilling the clear mandate the president gave to the ministry with the quality of work being carried out.

The minister made the declaration during his inspection of the project, saying he has no apology for making such a declaration.

It would be recalled that the entire 52-kilometre road was originally awarded to another firm, before JRB Construction took over to complete the remaining 36 kilometres within an 18-month timeframe.

Umahi stated: “But for JRB, an indigenous contractor, I am very shocked. I was here before and all those difficult things on this road, JRB has diminished them and I declare him the best indigenous contractor in the Ministry of works.

 

“I have no apology for that, people should come and see what he’s doing. For those of you that followed me here the first time we came, it was so terrible. Mind-blowing what JRB has done and we will continue to encourage you.

 

The minister called on JRB construction and other indigenous companies to upgrade and strive to reach the heights of Hi-Tech construction companies handling the Lagos-Calabar highway project.

 

He added: “I want JRB to upgrade, everybody’s height should be on the performance of Hitech to get to that level. And with what you are doing, you can get to that level and you also have equipment that I don’t see any other indigenous contractor that can compare with you in the volume of equipment. You have very sharp workers both expatriates and indigenous.

 

“If indigenous contractors can do this, then we have no reason to be giving expatriates 25 jobs and they are reading newspapers everyday telling you stories of what is happening in your village and they are not ready to put one kobo.”

 

Speaking to journalists at the project site in Ogbomoso, the company’s Technical Project Manager, Joseph Onche assured that the project would be completed before the official September 2026 deadline.

 

He added that they mobilised to the site as soon as the contract was awarded.