*Says Overnight Change To Concrete Roads Impossible
For the patronage of its members, the Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI) on Wednesday commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Barrister Nyesom Wike.
The body at its 69th Annual General Meeting in Abuja noted that Wike's patronage of credible construction companies have resulted in the commissioning of series of good roads in the capital city.
The FOCI President and Chairman of Governing Council, High Chief Vincent Barrah, addressed an international press conference at the AGM.
He however condemned the approach adopted by the Minister of Works, Sen Engr Nweze David Umahi, who overnight directed construction companies to change from Asphalt and start constructing concrete roads.
According to him, adequate time should be given to allow proper changeover as the construction companies' equipment, staff training were taylored towards construction of asphalt roads.
To be able to changeover, he said, that construction companies need to change equipment, machines and train staff towards constructing concrete roads.
But rather than give credible companies enough time to change over, he said that the Works Minister started terminating his members contracts on the pages of newspapers and started engaging less qualified and unknown contractors.
Given the necessary time to change, he said, his members are ready to construct concrete road.
He said "Most of our members are not working at full capacity. They have manpower, they have the personnel, but members, have been having serious challenge. It started last year. It's contained in our address report of the Governing Council. You will get the detailed report from there.
"Most of the contract of our members have been terminated. But unfortunately we read on the pages of newspapers that they have been terminated. Our members are reputable construction companies in Nigeria. Our members have constructed roads that lasted for 20, 30, 40 years and are still in use.
"But due to reasons best known to the ministry, they have decided to terminate the projects.
"The world should know the truth. We read on the pages of newspapers claims of poor performance. It's not true. Even now we have experienced manpower, equipment, and I want to tell you that none of our members involved in the situation. So whichever way we want the world to know why the ministry has continued to terminate contract of our members. We have made efforts in the past."
On the Minister of FCT, the High Chief said "We honestly commend the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. I want to tell you that while another ministry is terminating the contracts of our members on the pages of newspaper for poor performance, another government agency, Honourable Minister of the FCT, has been commissioning projects being constructed by our members. And our members are impressed.
"The Federation of Construction industry will want to say a big thank you to the Minister of FCT, because if not for the Minister of FCT, the situation and the story of the construction industry would have been so bad that the number of workers we have now will not have been stable." he stated
The FOCI President went on "Our members are ready for concrete works, but the design has to change. The equipment need must change. You must also train the personnel on how to construct concrete roads. So it's not something that you say stop now and start tomorrow because the equipment used for Asphalt roads is completely different from equipment used for concrete roads.
"So you need to give the contractor time to even acquire the new equipment that is needed for concrete road. So when you say stop asphalt, start concrete, there is confusion. And while the contractor is trying to find a way on how to adjust, you will say poor performance.
"It's practically impossible to stop Asphalt today and start concrete tomorrow. I'm glad that the various government agencies, condemned the act of stop today and start tomorrow. They all said it shouldn't be done that way."
Stressing that his members are ready to follow the trend, he said "Whichever way, our members are ready for the new innovation. Give us contracts based on concrete road, our members will execute it to the best of their knowledge and standard.
"So we are saying we are open to innovation. Innovation is what is constant. Our members are ready. But there should be transition. If there is no transition, it becomes practically impossible. That's what we are saying. So our members are ready."
According to him, his members are well known by most other government agencies, like industrial training Fund and others.
"They recognize us, and they have started giving us trains and other skill acquisition bodies.
"So that has been the major activities in house that we have embarked upon, and, of course, advocacy to our members."
The High Chief also faulted the frequent invitation being extended to his members by the National Assembly.
This invitations, he said, are unnecessary distractions.
"We read in our annual report that our members are being invited by various national assembly committees, which we feel is a distraction. We have explained that some of these conversations aught not to be."
He however expressed appreciation that NECA has stepped in to the matter.
"We are glad that our affiliate body NECA Nigerian Employers Consultative Association, is handling the issue at the very top level, and we will continue to liaise with NECA to ensure that our members are not unnecessarily invited to the National Assembly. NECA is on top of the situation."
Still on the matter, the President said an open letter has been written to the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and various committees of the National Assembly were copied to "put a stop to that, so that our members can concentrate on their businesses."
He explained that members of FOCI are law abiding organizations, who pay their taxes, adding "They have tried as much as possible to obey the extant laws, and then they are reporting also to the other government agencies that regulate their various affairs. So that's the issue."
Answering question on complaints by some road users that the concrete roads are damaging their tyres, he said that the complaints should be directed to the Ministry.
In the report presented at the AGM, FOCI generated total income of N360,522,350 in 2024 against N145,512,950 in 2023.
Total expenditure was N350,308,190 for 2024 and N144,157, 240 for 2023.
At the AGM, new members admitted into the fold were given certificates, just as many organisations gave goodwill messages.
Members who won elections also officially took over.