Umahi invites ICPC, EFCC to verify projects

…says Tinubu-era’s transparency unprecedented

Minister of Works, David Umahi disclosed that the ministry under him has submitted all ongoing and completed federal road projects to  Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial crime Commission (EFCC) for investigation to ensure transparency and accountability.

Umahi disclosed this while on inspection tour of the Mararaba-Keffi road project on Thursday in Abuja.

He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that transparency under him was unprecedented.

The minister said he personally wrote to the anti-corruption agencies, forwarding a comprehensive list of all projects executed by the ministry since President Tinubu assumed office.

According to him, the agencies have been asked to physically verify the projects across all states and the FCT.

“I love challenges. Let me tell the public that I wrote to ICPC and we submitted all the President’s projects in the Ministry of Works from the day he assumed office.

“We asked them to verify these projects nationwide and take a decision.

“This is the first of its kind. I reported this publicly to the President at the Federal Executive Council meeting yesterday, and I am very happy doing it,” he said.

Umahi, who added that he also sent the same list to the EFCC, however, said he was unsure whether the agency had deployed teams across all states.

He said the ministry remained fully transparent under President Tinubu and that he personally enjoyed the work because he valued diligence, quality delivery, and public satisfaction.

He also described the president as an exceptional leader.

The minister praised Tinubu for his swift intervention following what he described as an “unfortunate incident” on a road project in Nasarawa State.

He explained that the state governor contacted him immediately after the incident, prompting him to brief the president within 24 hours, after which the president approved funding for the project.

“Within 24 hours, he released the money for this project. It is unprecedented,” Umahi said.

Addressing concerns over outstanding payments to contractors, Umahi confirmed that the President had set up a committee to review all debts owed by the ministry of works.

He appealed to contractors to suspend protests, assuring them that payments would be made soon.

“Let me assure our contractors that the President recognises that you are being owed.

“He set up a committee to review all the debts. Please, no more protest. You will be paid before Dec. 20,” he said.

Umahi specifically mentioned China Harbour and two contractors handling the Keffi–Mararaba corridor, saying they had yet to receive payment.

He, however, noted that funds for their work had been approved.

He commended CGC for its excellent performance, noting that the President had already released 100 per cent of its funds.

He also praised local contractor JRB for delivering quality road work, saying the company performed better than some international firms.

Also speaking, Dr Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central), reaffirmed the President’s commitment to road infrastructure.

She said CCTV cameras would be installed along the Keffi–Mararaba road to enhance security during the Christmas season and ensure safe travel.

Essiet commended the president for appointing Umahi to head the ministry, noting that the minister and staff  were committed to delivering the president’s mandate.

(NAN)

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