Umahi: Indigenous contractors must raise standards to earn FG’s support

David Umahi, minister of works, says indigenous contractors should improve the quality of their work to gain more support from the federal government.

Umahi said President Bola Tinubu has given a clear mandate to the ministry of works to empower and encourage indigenous contractors.

Speaking during a road inspection, the minister said the contractor handling the Oyo-Ogbomoso dual carriageway project — JRB Construction Company Ltd — is fulfilling the mandate through the quality of its work.

Umahi said he was shocked by the quality of work done by the construction company after it took over to complete the remaining 36 kilometres of the Oyo-Ogbomoso dual carriageway project.

The minister urged indigenous companies to upgrade and attain the heights of Hi-Tech Construction Company, another indigenous firm.

“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,” Umahi said.

“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. It’s mind-blowing what JRB has done, and we will continue to encourage you.

“The drainage you have – it is only Hi-Tech that can compare with the quality of drainage you have. Honestly, I am very proud of what you are doing.

“I want JRB to upgrade; everybody’s height should be on the performance of Hi-Tec 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.

“So, you are complete, and we are ready to partner with you. We will report your good work again to Mr President for support.

“You are fulfilling one of the clear mandates the president gave us: “raise indigenous” contractors.

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