By Adeyemi Adekunle
The Minister of State for Works, Mohammed Bello Goronyo, has issued a stark warning to contractors engaged with the Federal Emergency and Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) abandoning projects to their own peril. The Minister gave warning during a recent familiarization tour of FERMA’s South West region. He emphasized the fiduciary responsibility of contractors, highlighting the necessity of completing ongoing projects while underlining that taxpayer resources are at stake.
“Taxpayer funds are being used, and the public deserves full value for their money,” Goronyo asserted. The minister made it clear that the era of neglecting project commitments without consequences is over.
His warning comes amidst many road and infrastructure projects that are either lagging or completely stalled, a situation that has frustrated citizens and local governments alike.
The Minister’s renewed resolve signals a shift in accountability for contractors, who must now adhere strictly to timelines and quality standards.
Speaking on transparency and accountability, Goronyo mandated FERMA to compile and submit a comprehensive list of non-compliant contractors within one week.
His plans is to leverage this information for potential penalties and corrective actions. He also proposed the establishment of a dedicated Technical Committee tasked with ongoing oversight and monitoring of all projects nationwide.
This committee will serve as an additional layer of assurance that projects not only meet deadlines but also adhere to the highest quality standards.
“We must confront the challenges we face directly,” Goronyo stated during his tour, depicting a proactive approach in tackling perennial issues that have plagued Nigeria’s infrastructure sector.
His strong statements reflect a pivot under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has shown a clear commitment to addressing the systemic flaws that have historically hindered progress. “For too long, we have relied on insufficient resources, but we now have a President willing to tackle these challenges head-on.”
To amplify accountability, the Minister announced plans to conduct surprise visits to various project sites. Goronyo aims to assess contractor performance personally, ensuring that work is not only progressing but is also up to standard. “I will be making unannounced visits, as I believe it’s important to see firsthand how our contractors are performing,” he stated. This level of oversight is expected to curb complacency among contractors and promote a culture of diligence and pride in work.
In recognizing the challenges ahead, Goronyo expressed optimism about FERMA’s capacity to meet these hurdles, affirming that with collective support, goals set forth by President Tinubu are achievable. “Doing things differently is essential to overcoming current obstacles,” he stressed, as he called on stakeholders to unify their efforts towards enhancing infrastructure development across Nigeria.
His remarks were warmly received, especially by Federal Road Management Engineers (FRME) in the South West, who have faced their own struggles regarding resource allocation and project execution.
The Minister’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare of FERMA staff is another notable aspect of his vision. Acknowledging their tireless work despite challenging conditions, he reiterated that their contributions are invaluable to the success of the agency and, by extension, the nation’s infrastructural growth.
As Nigeria grapples with deteriorating roads and stalled infrastructure projects, Goronyo’s unequivocal stance marks a critical juncture. The renewed focus on project completion and contractor accountability presents an opportunity for significant progress in a sector that has long suffered from inertia.
