Minister Faces Scrutiny Over Exclusive Road Contracts

In a move that has raised eyebrows across the construction industry, the Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, is facing scrutiny by construction companies in the country after revelations that all major road construction contracts over the past year were awarded to a single company, Hitech Construction Company Limited.

According to inside sources, contracts worth 100s of billions of naira are being awarded without any open tendering process. Critics argue that this lack of competition not only undermines transparency but may also lead to inflated costs and compromised quality. This is a blatant disregard for procurement laws. When one company is continuously favored without clear justification, it erodes public trust and raises serious questions about governance.

Even though Hitech Construction Company Limited has a proven track record of delivering high quality roads and the capacity to execute large-scale projects on tight deadlines. This goes against every principle of fair competition and transparency. Other construction companies should be given a chance to show what they can do and why they have been around for many years. These companies have also been delivering high quality projects on time and on budget.

Previous Ebonyi state road projects where the then Governor constructed roads with cement, have led to major road collapses and degradation. This shows how easy it is for projects to fail when various industry experts are ignored and projects are not given to a diverse set of contractors using diverse construction techniques.

Sources within the construction industry, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that officials had expressed concerns initially but were allegedly pressured to proceed with the awards sidelining other qualified firms without explanation. Leading construction analysts warn that relying on a single contractor can be risky. “Diversifying contractors not only ensures better pricing but also reduces the danger of project delays if the company is overwhelmed or if they suffer operational troubles. One misstep by Hitech and the entire nation’s major road network projects could collapse.

As industry experts voice frustration over this deepening situation, the controversy is likely to intensify calls for reforms in the country’s public procurement system.