Ebonyi State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Friday called on the Federal Government and contractors to stop the proposed use of concrete technology and direct labour by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for the construction federal highways in the country.
It said the direct labour approach to road construction deployed by the former Governor in Ebonyi State was a mere conduit for personal enrichment.
The Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Chika Nwoba who stated this in a statement maintained that the Works Minister’s claim that the concrete roads he did in Ebonyi State will last for 50 years, was a ruse.
Recall the new Minister of Works, had last week directed all contractors handling Federal Government highways across the country to immediately dump the use of asphalt and adopt concrete technology, claiming roads executed on concretes last for over 50 years.
But the main opposition party, in the statement, noted, “A few days ago, the APC-led Federal Government of Nigeria swore into office a new league of Ministers with the immediate past Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr David Umahi becoming the Minister of Works. Such a powerful ministry second only to the Petroleum ministry or sector.
“It’s no doubt that Engr David Umahi is some sort of experienced construction engineering personality, but some qualities lack in the ways he administers any office he finds himself in every material point in time. We are from Ebonyi State; and are direct witnesses to how he ran the works sector as Governor of the state of Ebonyi for eight years.
“During his inglorious reign as Governor of Ebonyi State, hunger reigned supreme in the state. His projects still suffer dilapidation just a few months to, and after leaving office. One of the shocking failures recorded on his self-supervised projects was the collapse of some buildings inside the Abakaliki International Market construction of which he personally supervised. When the buildings fell completely, Ebonyi people and residents were shocked. Their shock came from the fact that the Governor as he was bragged allowed that his direct labour projects would stand test of longevity for as long as fifty years.
“Umahi runs a one man’s show. We read that the contractors handling ongoing federal projects under the Federal Ministry of Works have issued warning notes against the minister whom they accused of trying to revoke and re-award already contracted projects that are currently being executed and refusing to sign documents that could see to the release of funds to shoulder the costs of the ongoing projects.
“We read also from the news that his handlers were planning to enforce his decision of appointing 37 Special Assistants, one for each state who would assist him carry out his soul administrative running of the lofty ministry. We who know Mr Umahi can explain how he’s going to run the ministry without mincing words. He’s a despot, dictator and everything unsuitable for a leader with approval power.