The Nigerian Federal Government has issued Reynolds Construction Company, RCC, a seven-day ultimatum to return to the site after failing to complete 1 kilometer of the 15km East-West Road section from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction in Rivers State, despite receiving over N40 billion in mobilization funds.
Minister of Works, David Umahi issued the ultimatum on Wednesday during an inspection tour of ongoing road projects in the South-South zone.
“We are very sad with the manners and behaviors of this contractor, RCC. The federal government has paid over 40 billion on this project, and not even one kilometer has been completed,” Umahi said, according to a statement released by the Federal Ministry of Works.
The statement posted on the Ministry’s official website indicated that the contractor’s delay was attributed to importation of necessary machinery, an excuse deemed unacceptable by the Federal Government.
Additionally, Umahi stressed that no requests for price variation from the contractor would be entertained, as the project does not warrant any price adjustments.
The minister threatened to terminate the contract if the company failed to return to site.
He expressed concern over the hardship faced by road users and emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to securing interim funds for road maintenance until the company resumes work on the site.