Era of abandoned projects is over, says minister

Bello Goronyo, minister of state for works, says the era of abandoned road projects is over in Nigeria.

Goronyo spoke on Monday at a meeting with Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) zonal coordinators and Federal Roads Maintenance Engineers (FRMES), south-west zone, during a 3-day working visit to Lagos state.

The minister noted that FERMA needs to be up to the task by ensuring that Nigerians get value for their money and enjoy solid infrastructural projects.

“We have to tighten our belts. This is a country where we find ourselves with a deficit of infrastructure that was neglected in the past,” the minister said.

“Over time, it has deteriorated and we sat down and looked. The population was increasing over time and we did nothing to address it. We must be ready to change the narratives. We must be ready to change the way of doing things. And of course, we must look inward and do things differently.

“Some contractors who are giving contracts. They refused to report to the site. Some abandoned the project and this area — south-west — is not an area that is affected by armed banditry.

“So nobody will tell me that there’s insecurity so he cannot come, he cannot access the location of the project.

“I think what we need to do is that anybody who is not ready to do his job, please you should send word to him, the era of abandoning projects is over. It is over.

“You can’t just hold us to ransom. Nigerians are tired. It is the taxpayers’ money. Nigerians want value for their money. If this money is judiciously utilised, Nigerians will have access to their roads. That will go a long way in creating a business environment, curb insecurity, and generate employment for the teeming unemployed youths.”

The minister added that the contracts of defaulting contractors would be revoked if they were unwilling to execute the projects assigned to them.

“If they are not ready, you can revoke the contract and give it to those who are willing to execute the contract for Nigerians,” he said.

‘WE’LL ENSURE NIGERIANS GET QUALITY PROJECTS’

Goronyo added that the ministry will ensure that Nigerians have access to high-quality infrastructure, saying “we will give our best to Nigerians so that Mr. President will succeed”.

The minister also inaugurated solar-powered street lights at Isale-Eko in Lagos Island, after paying a courtesy visit to Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos.

Goronyo said the ministry is lighting up communities to boost socio-economic activities and ensure the safety of the people.

He said about 212 solar power street light units have been installed at seven locations in Lagos, including Isale Eko.

“We want the community to buy into the project. The community needs to guard this project. There are a lot of situations whereby the government will bring a project and some people will go and vandalise it.

“That’s why we are engaging with the traditional institutions to ensure they take ownership of the lighting project so that the community that are the beneficiary will continue to guard and benefit from them.

“It is a renewable energy project that is needed in every community because it has a lot of impact on the livelihoods of people.

He said the project would be beneficial as it would improve the community’s economy and provide security in the area.

He added that the solar lighting project would be replicated across communities, saying, “it is in line with the renewed hope agenda of our dear President Bola Tinubu.”

Also speaking, Emeka Agbasi, managing director of FERMA, said the solar project across communities will ensure the safety of residents at night.

“A cheaper way to provide power to communities is through solar. Solar is cheap in terms of maintenance and cost,” Agbasi said.

“It gives communities, like here, an extended period to trade at night. It also provides security in places where you have vandals and hoodlums. When a place is well-lit, there’s a likely probability that such activities will be reduced.”