Nigeria’s Minister of Works Dave Umahi has commended Hitech, describing them as more than just contractors, but rather “development partners in this country.”
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Friday, Umahi cited instances where Hitech reportedly provided assistance free of charge, such as supplying materials to help restore the Independence Bridge when there was a problem.
“When you talk about the contractor, and I can tell you this, they are not just contractors. They are development partners in this country. I recall that when we had a problem in the Independence Bridge, working all through the night, I called them.
“They were the ones that supplied all the materials we used in that Independence Bridge to restore it, and they did not ask for a Kobo.”
The Minister asserted that Hitech possesses a level of equipment and engineering capacity that is unmatched in Nigeria. He claimed that if all other construction companies in the country were combined, their equipment would be less than Hitech’s.
This extensive capacity, he stated, allows Hitech to potentially engage simultaneously on the Coastal Highway across “more than 10 sections”.
“If you put together all the construction companies in this country, I bet you that the equipment of this Hitech…. they have the capacity to engage this Coastal Highway in more than 10 sections at the same time, working by the level of their competence, the engineers, the parade, and the equipment they have.”
The Minister further expressed confidence in Hitech’s competence, engineers, and equipment. While defending the overall cost of the Coastal Highway project, the Minister implied that Hitech’s involvement provides value for money.
Notably, the Minister reported that representatives from two development banks funding the loan component of the project visited the site in Lagos and “marveled” at the speed, quality, and innovative ideas behind the project. He quoted them as concluding that the project was “undervalued”. This suggests that even external financial partners view the project, and by extension, the work being done by contractors like Hitech, as cost-effective relative to its scope.
He specifically highlighted Hitech’s capabilities and contributions as being integral to the success of the Coastal Highway and other interventions.
Chioma Kalu
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