Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has cautioned contractors threatening the Minister for Works, Dave Umahi and calling for his redeployment, writes Seun Opejobi.
Ohaneze described those calling for Umahi’s redeployment as corrupt contractors who are afraid of an engineer who is prepared to change the face of the ministry.
In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaeze said it is aware of the grand conspiracies to blackmail Umahi by corrupt political contractors to succumb to their bidding and terms.
The statement reads partly: “The assessments tours of the Hon Minister to the sites brought to light the level of unprofessional and unsatisfactory execution of some road projects across the country.
“Nigerians are happy with Senator Umahi and will drag any corrupt contractors found doing substandard works to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for proper action and investigations.”
Ohanaeze further stated that the era of fraudulent and over-inflated contracts is over, as whoever fights corruption should expect corruption will fight back.
The organization also backed the use of concrete and cement technology for road pavements in the Southeast and other parts of the country.
Ohanaeze noted that Nigerians are aware of the importance and durability of building good roads using concrete technology over asphalt for road pavements.
The organization said most of the contractors handling some roads, especially in the Southeast, must abide by the new regulation because the Southeast has been at the receiving end of road construction in Nigeria.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo said the Southeast federal highways should wear a new look with the construction of roads with cement and concrete technology henceforth.
The organization called on Ndigbo to report any ongoing road project in the Southeast where the contractor is flouting the new directives of using cement and concrete technology.
It vowed not to hesitate to take appropriate action against any contractor found wanting in this regard.