FG to Prioritise Indigenous Firms in Road Projects, Says Umahi

FG to Prioritise Indigenous Firms in Road Projects, Says Umahi

The Federal Government has restated its commitment to empowering indigenous contractors in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to promote local content and strengthen Nigeria’s construction industry.

The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, made this known during an inspection tour of the 52-kilometre Oyo–Ogbomoso dual carriageway, where he commended JRB Construction Company Ltd, the indigenous firm handling the project for what he described as exceptional quality and commitment.

Umahi said President Tinubu had given a clear instruction to the Ministry of Works to empower and encourage indigenous contractors, a mandate the ministry was already implementing through firms like JRB Construction.

“But for JRB, an indigenous contractor, I am very shocked. I was here before, and all those difficult things on this road, JRB has diminished them. I declare him the best indigenous contractor in the Ministry of Works. I have no apology for that. People should come and see what he’s doing,” Umahi said.

The minister, visibly impressed by the quality of work on site, said the standard of drainage and road finishing being executed by JRB could only be compared to that of Hi-Tech Construction Company, the firm handling the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway.

“The drainage you have here, it is only Hi-Tech that can compare with it. Honestly, I am very proud of what you are doing,” he added.

Umahi urged JRB and other local contractors to continue upgrading their capacity to match global standards, noting that the Federal Government was ready to partner with serious and capable indigenous firms.

“You are fulfilling one of the clear mandates the President gave us to raise indigenous contractors. If indigenous contractors can do this, then we have no reason to keep giving expatriates multiple jobs. This man (JRB) has done more than the percentage we paid him, so why wouldn’t we support him?” he noted.

He also criticised foreign contractors who, he said, were reluctant to invest their own resources in Nigerian projects despite the government’s commitment to honouring contract terms.

“For any contractor that will not put out their own money like Hi-Tech or JRB, that person is not a partner in the development of this country,” Umahi stated.

Speaking with journalists at the project site in Ogbomoso, JRB’s Technical Project Manager, Joseph Onche, assured that the dual carriageway would be delivered ahead of the official September 2026 deadline.

“We mobilised to site immediately after the contract was awarded. Eight months down the line, progress has been steady, and we are confident of completing the project before schedule,” Onche said.

The 52-kilometre Oyo–Ogbomoso dual carriageway, initially awarded to another firm, was re-assigned to JRB Construction Company, which is expected to complete the project within 18 months.