ABUJA: The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has reaffirmed that President Bola Tinubu has given a clear mandate to the Ministry of Works to empower and encourage indigenous contractors.
Umahi said the directive was already being fulfilled by local firms such as JRB Construction Company Ltd, which is handling the Oyo–Ogbomoso dual carriageway project, citing the quality of work as proof of the president’s vision in action.
The minister made the declaration during his inspection of the project, insisting he had “no apology” for championing the cause of indigenous contractors.
Recall that the entire 52-kilometre road was originally awarded to another firm before JRB Construction took over, with a completion target of 18 months.
Umahi stated: 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 and 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. For those of you that followed me here the first time we came, it was so terrible. Mind-blowing what JRB has done, and we will continue to encourage you.
“The drainage you have — it is only Hi-Tec that can compare with the quality of drainage you have. Honestly, I am very proud of what you are doing.”
The minister urged JRB Construction and other indigenous firms to continue upgrading their capacity and strive to reach the standard of Hi-Tec Construction Company, which is handling the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project.
He added: “I want JRB to upgrade. Everybody’s height should be on the performance of Hi-Tec — to get to that level. And with what you are doing, you can get there. You also have equipment that I don’t see any other indigenous contractor matching in volume. You have very sharp workers, both expatriates and indigenous.
“So, you are complete, and we are ready to partner with you. We will report your good work again to Mr. President for support. 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 be giving expatriates 25 jobs while they sit reading newspapers every day, telling stories of what is happening in your village, and are not ready to put in one kobo.
“This man (JRB) has done more than the percentage we paid him, so why wouldn’t we support him? For any contractor that will not put out their own money like Hi-Tec or JRB, that person is not a partner in the development of this country.
“You are not ready to put a kobo, yet you want to make profit. Even when you are sure we will pay you, you still wouldn’t want to take a small risk. If there is no relationship, then there is no risk — that is what they are telling us.”
Speaking with journalists at the project site in Ogbomoso, the company’s Technical Project Manager, Joseph Onche, assured that the project would be completed before the official September 2026 deadline.
He explained that the company mobilised to site immediately after the contract was awarded and that they have now spent eight months on the project, while expressing confidence that it would be delivered ahead of schedule.
