By Ebi COLLINS
The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has allegedly expressed satisfaction with the ongoing remediation work on the Calabar-Itu Federal Highway, lauding the efforts of SERMATECH Construction Company. This came during a meeting with the Cross River South Consultative Forum and SERMATECH representatives in Abuja NEGROIDHAVEN has garnered.
In the meeting convened to address a petition from the Cross River South Consultative Forum, Engr. Umahi admitted to having initial reservations about SERMATECH but changed his stance after a site visit a few months ago. He praised SERMATECH for achieving a commendable 40 percent completion rate and dismissed calls to revoke the company’s contract.
Umahi encouraged support for SERMATECH, emphasizing its status as the only indigenous company working on the Calabar-Itu Highway. He commended the company’s additional palliative interventions beyond contractual obligations, urging critics to visit the site before questioning the company’s capabilities. The Minister affirmed the satisfactory quality of SERMATECH’s work.
He criticized the Cross River South Consultative Forum for not verifying facts before the petition and clarified misconceptions by presenting a graphical overview of the 28.6 kilometers awarded to SERMATECH. Umahi highlighted SERMATECH’s distinct responsibilities compared to other contractors like Julius Berger.
Umahi drew attention to SERMATECH’s voluntary work on the Benin Bypass/Agbor Road and praised the company’s nationalistic spirit. He appealed to SERMATECH to continue its efforts, highlighting the strategic importance of completing the Calabar-Itu Highway as a vital economic corridor.
The meeting included a delegation from the Cross River South Consultative Forum led by Barrister Eyo Ekpo, accompanied by Hon. Victor Okon, Chief Ani Esin, Prof. Emmanuel Eyo, Hon. James Anam, Sir Maurice Effiwat, and Hon. (Mrs.) Ada Egwu. The SERMATECH delegation included Mr. Isioma Ezi-Ashi, Managing Director of SERMATECH, along with Engr. Joe Ukpata and Engr. Iheanacho Chibueze.
