Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has cautioned contractors threatening the Minister for Works and calling for his redeployment, describing them 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 Ndigbo said that it is aware of the grand conspiracies to blackmail Senator Dave Umahi, the Honorable Minister for Works, by corrupt political contractors to succumb to their bidding and terms.
The statement reads in part: “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 Ndigbo further stated that the era of fraudulent and over-inflated contracts is over, as whoever fights corruption, it is expected that corruption will fight back.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has thrown its weight behind the use of concrete and cement technology for road pavements in the Southeast and other parts of the country.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo 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 that most of the contractors handling some roads, especially in the Southeast, must abide by this new regulation because the Southeast has been at the receiving end of road construction in Nigeria.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo said that 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 flaunting the new directives of using cement and concrete technology.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo said that it would not hesitate to take appropriate action against any contractor found wanting in this regard.
The statement concluded by saying that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is solidly behind Senator Dave Umahi and will continue to support him in his efforts to transform the Ministry of Works
