Alkali expresses displeasure at slow pace of work on Port Harcourt to Maiduguri Narrow Gauge Project
The Minister of Transportation, Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali, has scored the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) low on the construction performance so far on the Port Harcourt to Maiduguri Narrow Gauge Railway project.
Alkali who was accompanied by top officials from the Ministry of Transportation, said he is utterly disappointed at the slow pace of the performance of the contractor as he observed firsthand the pace of work at the project site at Oyibbo community in Rivers State.
Alkali expressed concern over the delays and inefficiencies that have plagued the construction process, which has caused significant frustration among stakeholders, especially the local communities that are eagerly awaiting the completion of the railway line.
However, Alkali assured the public that the ministry would take decisive action to address the shortcomings and enforce the relevant sections of the contract agreement.
He harped on the government’s commitment to ensuring the timely completion of this crucial infrastructure, which is expected to boost transportation connectivity and economic development in the region.
The minister urged the CCECC to expedite the construction work and meet the agreed timelines, stressing that the ministry would not hesitate to impose penalties for any further delays or breaches of the contract.
The minister disclosed that as part of the government’s efforts to ensure accountability and transparency in the project, a thorough review of the entire construction process and the contractor’s performance would be conducted.
According to him, this evaluation would help identify areas of improvement and ascertain whether additional measures need to be taken to fast-track the completion of the railway line.
The Port Harcourt to Maiduguri Narrow Gauge Railway Project, once completed, is projected to facilitate the movement of goods and people, stimulate regional trade, and contribute to the overall socio-economic advancement of the country.
The contract for the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of 2,044.1 km Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Eastern Narrow Gauge was signed on the 16th November, 2020, with a completion period of 36 months. The project is jointly financed by the Federal Government and the CCECC. The Nigerian government has provided 15% funding while the CCECC would provide 85% of the funds. The physical progress of the entire project is 243 km (1.24%) of the 2,044.1 km.
