FG mandates two-week site work before paying mobilisation fees to road contractors

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced this during an inspection of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway, as contained in a statement published on the ministry’s website on Sunday.

Umahi explained that the policy aims to ensure that only committed contractors handle Nigeria’s road projects, thereby reducing cases of abandoned construction sites.

He highlighted the progress made by Messrs Infoquest International (Nig.) Limited, which had advanced significantly on its section of the road despite not receiving the traditional 30% upfront mobilisation fee.

“According to the Minister, the company, Messrs Infoquest International (Nig.) Limited has proven its capacity to deliver quality jobs on record time, seeing how far they have gone within a month of signing the contract. 

“He stressed that the Ministry’s decision that every contractor must be at the site and working for at least two weeks before the mobilisation fee is paid, is the way to go for sustainable project development and delivery,” the statement read in part.

The statement further highlighted that Joseph Abougaoude, Managing Director of Infoquest International, affirmed the company’s commitment to delivering the contract within schedule despite the absence of upfront payment.

Additionally, the statement revealed that Umahi provided updates on the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway, a key economic corridor linking Nigeria’s northern and southern regions, as well as neighboring countries like Cameroon, Niger, and Benin.

However, he clarified that the company remained engaged in other federal road projects, including the Bodo-Bonny Road and major bridge construction in Lagos.

The announcement that road contractors must mobilize to the site at least two weeks before receiving mobilisation fees follows the Federal Government’s introduction of stricter payment conditions for contractors.