Retired military and security personnel have been hired by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Works to guard and secure building sites.
According to The PUNCH, during a meeting with Adhoc Committee members at the ministry’s Abuja headquarters, Minister of Works, David Umahi revealed this.
“The team was formed to address the persistent concerns from contractors who leave project sites due to insecurity”, according to a statement released on Wednesday by the ministry’s director of information, Olusola Abiola.
He claimed that the officers were selected from among the six geopolitical zones, one from each of the armed forces and the police.
Umahi justified the retired personnel’s selection by stating that each of their respective service chiefs made the decision based on their track record and experience.
He stated, “We developed this concept of having one police officer and one retired military officer from each of the geopolitical zones because of the security challenges that contractors face on the job.”
“We at the Ministry are concerned about certain projects that were awarded in the North East, North West, and South East because the contractors managing those projects left the sites due to the issue of insecurity,” they said, adding that they are not on-site.”
He clarified that members are expected to collaborate with ministry staff at the zonal levels and assured them that every support would be given to make their job a success.
“We believe strongly that having experienced security personnel who understand the terrain would go a long way in ensuring the security of the sites, We are concerned about the security of our sites during work.” Umahi stated.
The former governor of Ebonyi also exhorted the committee’s members to act as patriots both individually and collectively by prioritizing the needs of the country when carrying out their heavy duty.
Additionally, he said that the ministry was dependent on them to provide protection to a number of building projects located across the nation.
He took advantage of the chance to express his gratitude to the service chiefs who had collaborated with the Ministry, first establishing the Committee as a result of their rapid response to the Ministry’s request.
The Permanent Secretary, Yakubu Kofarmata, had earlier than expected in his introductory remarks the ministry’s gratitude to the members for volunteering to serve their country during this critical juncture in its history.
After the stakeholders meeting on Wednesday in Abuja, which took place in the Federal Ministry of Works conference hall, this resolution was made.
In a statement, Umahi was cited as applauding MTN Nigeria’s management, under the direction of CEO Karl Toriola, for the promise to expedite the 107 km highway’s repair. The route starts in Enugu’s 82 Division and ends in Onitsha at the River Niger head bridge.
According to the minister, the ministry wanted to follow the Presidential Order’s tax credit scheme, which allowed companies like Dangote, BUA, and NNPCL to use 50% of the anticipated taxes they would have to pay to the federal government to finance the building of important national road projects.
In addition, Umahi reaffirmed how crucial it is that the organization uphold its end of the bargain despite the present financial difficulties.
He gave the minister his word that his company would keep up its collaboration with the Federal government and put forth great effort to see the highway project through to completion.
