Umahi meets BPP, seeks end to road project delay

Minister for Works, Senator David Umahi, has initiated discussions with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to accelerate the delivery of road projects across the country.

During a meeting with the BPP management, led by the Director-General, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, Umahi emphasized the need to establish systems that eliminate bureaucratic hurdles delaying road infrastructure delivery nationwide.

In a statement signed by the Minister’s Special Assistant, Uchenna Orji, Umahi highlighted the importance of removing bureaucratic constraints to enhance innovation, efficiency, and economic outcomes in the road infrastructure sector. He noted that achieving the government’s road infrastructure revolution agenda requires deliberate efforts to streamline project evaluation processes within the BPP.

He stated, “The mission of this administration to advance road infrastructure must respond effectively to citizens’ demands for road sector interventions, ensuring best practices at every stage of the process.”

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The Minister acknowledged the BPP’s core mandates, which include fostering accountability, ensuring consistent pricing, enhancing contract execution effectiveness, and delivering value for money. He stressed the critical need to address project delays, describing them as significant inhibitors of the Bureau’s objectives.

Umahi urged closer cooperation with the BPP, saying, “We seek closer collaboration to enable the Ministry to fast-track the delivery of both inherited and newly initiated road infrastructure projects under the Renewed Hope administration. Since taking office, we have insisted on best practices and introduced innovations to provide Nigerians with durable road infrastructure fit for purpose. We must resolve to eliminate unnecessary delays in procurement processes.”

The Minister also outlined various procurement methods, including restrictive, selective, and competitive bidding, as essential for achieving value for money and ensuring effective service delivery.

In response, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun commended the Minister for his purposeful initiatives in the Federal Ministry of Works and assured him of the BPP’s commitment to enhanced collaboration. He stated, “We recognize your dedication and passion for delivering results. Your invitation to this meeting reaffirms our shared vision to achieve the objectives of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration in the works sector. We are committed to ensuring that road infrastructure projects are delivered timely, transparently, and with accountability.”

Dr. Adedokun thanked the Minister for addressing procurement challenges, adding, “This meeting provides an opportunity to align our efforts, discuss challenges, and ensure mutual understanding for effective collaboration. From my experience, the Ministry of Works is one of the most visible arms of government. When things go wrong, Nigerians voice their concerns loudly, often holding the Ministry accountable. We are therefore committed to working closely with you to deliver sustainable and high-quality roads that meet the expectations of Nigerians.”

He further noted, “Our partnership aims to restore the days when roads constructed lasted for decades. Together, we can ensure that Mr. President’s vision for road infrastructure is realized with value for money and sustainability at the core.”