The Nigerian government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring high-quality road construction and strict adherence to its new policy on mobilization fees. The Minister of Works reaffirmed this stance during a site visit to the Zuba interchange on the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road rehabilitation project, emphasizing that contractors will no longer receive automatic mobilization payments.
According to the Minister, contractors must first demonstrate financial capability and execute permanent work for 30 days before qualifying for a 30% mobilization fee. “The Procurement Act states that a client ‘may’ provide mobilization fees, not ‘must’ or ‘shall.’ We have clarified that mobilization is not automatic. If a contractor claims financial capacity during bidding, they must commence work immediately,” he stated.
The ongoing road project, valued at ₦252 billion, includes a 30% mobilization fee amounting to ₦75 billion. The contractor is expected to complete the project within 14 months from the signing date. The Minister also explained that terminating the previous contractor’s contract was necessary to maintain engineering standards and efficiency.
He further confirmed that continuous reinforced concrete paving on the road would commence by mid-March. “By the first week of March, concrete paving will begin. Even if we project it to March 10th, before mid-month, you will see a well-structured eight-inch continuous reinforced concrete layer on the road,” he assured.
Commending Infiouest International (Nigeria) Ltd for complying with the new policy and maintaining quality standards, the Minister noted that the company had exceeded the 30-day minimum work period without initial payment. “Infiouest has met the requirement, and we will now process their 30% mobilization fee. We will ensure this project is completed on schedule,” he added.
The Managing Director of Infiouest Construction Company, Joseph Abougaoude, acknowledged the project’s scale and the government’s high expectations. He also revealed that the Minister had offered personal funds to ensure immediate mobilization, underscoring the seriousness of the initiative. “The Minister told me, ‘Mobilize to site, and if you need money, I am ready to give you my personal funds.’ That showed me the level of commitment he has taken upon himself. I accepted the challenge, and for the past three months, we have worked tirelessly. The results are evident,” he stated.
Abougaoude pledged to maintain high-quality standards and adhere to the project timeline, saying, “I promise to deliver the best quality work and meet the agreed timeframe. I understand the responsibility and share in the challenge.”
Regarding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Minister described it as a critical economic corridor linking Nigeria to neighboring countries such as Cameroon and Niger Republic. He also provided updates on other road projects, noting that several would be ready for commissioning by mid-year.
Among them, Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is progressing well, with 30 kilometers completed while 17.47 kilometers remain pending due to settlement issues. Additionally, key segments of the Lekki Deep Seaport road projects, funded under the Dangote Tax Credit Scheme, will soon be completed, enhancing connectivity to the Lagos-Shagamu route and improving the transportation of goods.
The Minister also addressed the previously strained relationship with Julius Berger Nigeria, highlighting recent improvements and a renewed understanding between the government and the construction giant. Despite terminating Julius Berger’s contract for the Abuja-Kano highway, the company remains actively involved in other major infrastructure projects, including the Bodo-Bonny Road, Carter Bridge rehabilitation, Third Mainland Bridge maintenance, and Idodo Bridge reconstruction.
“Julius Berger is still very much engaged. The new Managing Director understands our policies and respects the engineering standards we uphold. If one plus one suddenly equals three, we need to investigate why. As engineers, we will not be misled,” the Minister concluded.
