Abuja — The Minister of Works and Housing, Mohammed Hassan Lawal has called on all contractors and consultants handling Federal Government projects to return to site or be blacklisted. He made this known yesterday during an interactive session with the consultants, contractors and stakeholders of the ministry which took place yesterday in Abuja.

The minister, who said the meeting was the first of its kind, lamented the absence of many contractors due to lack of payment in some cases and delayed payments in others, adding that government was committed to releasing funds for on-going and new road/bridge projects in the country.

"No contractor has the justification to abandon sites on the pretext that payment is delayed. We know you are there to make money and not a charitable organisation, but you should do your job", he said.

He stated that some contractors have made it a duty to set baits for the government by giving excuses which will no longer be tolerated in the new administration of the ministry."From records, some contractors asked for interest on delayed payment, we, on our part, could also ask you, the contractors to pay damages for delayed work", he noted.

On the qualifications considered for the award of contracts, the minister noted that among other qualities, resourcefulness, technical capacity and the ability to go ahead inspite of delay in payments, are considerations to be made.