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Tag: Contractors

  • SERAP sues Tinubu over ‘failure to prosecute contractors in N167bn project fraud in MDAs’

    SERAP sues Tinubu over ‘failure to prosecute contractors in N167bn project fraud in MDAs’

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu over “the failure to direct the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun to name and ensure the prosecution of the contractors who collected over N167 billion from 31 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) but failed to execute any projects.”

    Joined in the suit as Respondent is the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.

    In the suit number FHC/L/MISC/121/2025 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Lagos, SERAP is asking the court “to compel President Tinubu to direct Mr Fagbemi to bring to justice, as appropriate, any companies and contractors who collected over N167bn of public funds from 31 MDAs but failed to execute any projects.”

    SERAP is asking the court “to compel President Tinubu to direct Mr Olawale Edun to publish the specific names of the companies and contractors who collected over N167 billion from 31 MDAs but failed to execute any projects, as documented in the 2021 Audited Report by the Auditor General of the Federation.”

    SERAP is also asking the court “to compel President Tinubu to direct Mr Olawale Edun to publish the details of the projects, such as the locations of the projects for which the contractors and companies collected N167bn, the amount collected by each contractor and company and the names of the shareholders.”

    In the suit, SERAP is arguing that: “The allegations of corruption involving many companies and contractors who collected over N167 billion from 31 MDAs have continued to impair, obstruct and undermine access of poor Nigerians to public goods and services.”

    SERAP is also arguing that, “Holding the companies and contractors who collected over N167bn from 31 MDAs but disappeared with the money would prevent and combat waste, fraud, and abuse in the spending of public funds.”

    According to SERAP, “There is a legitimate public interest in not shielding or allowing ingrained wrongdoing by companies and contractors to go unpunished.”

    SERAP is also arguing that, “The consequences of corruption are felt by citizens on a daily basis. Corruption exposes them to additional costs to pay for health, education and administrative services.”

    SERAP said, “The allegations suggest a grave violation of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), the country’s anticorruption legislation and international anticorruption obligations.”

    The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Oluwakemi Agunbiade, read in part: “Granting the reliefs sought would ensure transparency and accountability in how any public funds are spent by MDAs, and reduce vulnerability to corruption and mismanagement.”

    “The UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party contains requirements of integrity and honesty in economic, financial or commercial activities-both in the public and private sectors.”

    “It also imposes obligations on the government to ensure that sanctions imposed for corruption on natural and legal persons are effective, proportionate and dissuasive.”

    “Ensuring the accountability of companies and contractors and the recovery of any diverted public funds would improve public accountability in MDAs.”

    “The accountability of government to the general public is a hallmark of democratic governance, which Nigeria seeks to practice.”

    “According to the 2021 annual audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation published on Wednesday 13 November 2024, thirty one (31) ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) paid over N167 billion [N167,592,177,559.40] to companies and contractors for contracts and projects not executed.”

    “The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc., (NBET) alone reportedly paid N100 billion to companies and contractors for projects not executed.”

    “Companies and contractors reportedly collected N100 billion from the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc., (NBET) for contracts and projects not executed.”

    “The thirty other MDAs including Nigerian Correctional Service; National Pension Commission, Abuja; Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Owerri; and Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) Office.”

    “Others include: Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF); Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development; Federal Medical Centre, Bida, Niger state; National Centre for Women Development; Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution; National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB); Federal University of Gasua; and Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.”

    “Accountability requires transparency. Nigerians’ right to a democratic governance allows them to appreciably influence the direction of government, and have an opportunity to assess progress and assign blame.

    No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

  • Oborevwori berates contractors over shoddy jobs in Delta

    Oborevwori berates contractors over shoddy jobs in Delta

    Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta on Wednesday, berated some contractors and asphalt producers for allegedly shortchanging the state government.

    He said that he had put machinery in place to investigate allegations of connivance by contractors and asphalt producers to defraud the state.

    The governor, stated this while playing host to the leadership of Isoko Church Leaders’ Forum, led by the Anglican Bishop of Oleh Diocese, Rt. Rev’d John Aruakpor, in Asaba.

    He reiterated his resolve to ensure that people of the state get value for every project executed by his administration.

    “As a government, we are doing our best and I want to assure you that we will not tolerate substandard jobs in all the jobs we have awarded.

    “We want to make sure that all the jobs are up to standard; we are aware that some contractors have started negotiating with asphalt producers to short change the state.

    “We are investigating them and even if they have laid the asphalt we will excavate and send same for test and see for ourselves because we want to ensure that we get value for every project executed.

    “I want to assure all people of Delta that the M.O.R.E Agenda is on course and we count on your prayers and support to achieve our goals,” the governor said.

    He lauded the relationship between the Isoko nation and the state government and assured that the state would continue to explore ways to partner the church to achieve inclusive economic growth.

    “The church is a very strong ally of government and this partnership is good for the peace, unity and stability of our state.

    “I thank you for appreciating some of the things we have done in the Isoko nation.

    “Aside from what you stated, we have completed the first phase of the Emevor-Orogun road and we have also awarded the second phase as well as the Olomoro-Igbide Road.

    “We are building the College of Health Sciences, which is near completion, and we have also awarded the second phase of the project,” he said.

    He said that government and leaders of Isoko nation, had agreed to change the name of the University of Science and Technology, Ozoro to Southern Delta University, which will enable the university get accreditation for other courses without restriction.

    He said that he had directed  Commissioner for Works in charge of Highways to scope the road that connects Isoko South and Isoko North.

    “I want to assure you that this government is for all and just as I promised that I will not be sentimental.

    “I will continue to work with all the stakeholders, including the leadership of the church, to move Delta forward,” he said.

    He said that the state government had commenced implementation of the payment of the new minimum wage to workers.

    He advised local governments in the state to implement the new minimum wage for their workers.

    He appealed to Fathers of Faith to continue praying for the President of Nigeria and those at the sub-nationals.

    “We need prayers in this challenging times and to do God’s will for our state and country to be at peace,” he said.

    Earlier, Aruakpor said the visit was to thank Gov. Oborevwori for the development he had attracted to the area and for appointing Isoko sons and daughters into key positions in his cabinet.

    Aruakpor said the vision of the group was to foster all- round development in Isoko land.

    He pledged their unalloyed loyalty and support to the governor beyond his first tenure.

    He lauded the governor for the establishment of College of Health Technology at Ovrode and the College of Health Sciences at the University of Science and Technology, Ozoro.

  • Delta to blacklist erring contractors, begins minimum wage payment – Oborevwori

    Delta to blacklist erring contractors, begins minimum wage payment – Oborevwori

    Delta State Governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has vowed that his administration would blacklist contractors who failed to execute projects in accordance with the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation given to them.

    He also said that his administration has began the payment of the new minimum. The governor pegged the imminence of the minimum wage payment on the priority placed by his administration on the welfare of its workforce.

    Governor Oborevwori handed down the warning to blacklist the contractors, on Sunday, in his remarks at the 70th birth anniversary of the Chairman, Delta State Civil Service Commission, Chief (Mrs) Roseline Amioku at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Osubi, Okpe Local Government Area of the state.

    He said his administration would continue to monitor projects across the state and called on contractors to ensure they do the right thing in the interest of the state.

    Oborevwori said: “For those contractors doing sub standard jobs in Delta State, they will be blacklisted. We are determined to ensure delivering of quality projects to Deltans. It is not easy to govern a state like Delta, and no contractor can complain that we are not paying them.

    “We are paying our contractors; projects are going on and we have not borrowed for 16 months and I want to assure Deltans that we will not borrow this year, by the grace of God.”

    On the development of Warri and its environs, Governor Oborevwori assured that his administration would remain focused on revamping infrastructure in the twin cities and would continue to do more in all parts of the state.

    He called on clerics to continue praying for the country and those in government, adding that the nation was facing critical challenges.

    “To our Lord Bishop, we cannot succeed without your prayers. We need prayers in this country. Here in Delta State, we are united; we don’t mind whether one is APC or PDP. Senator Ede Dafinone is here; he is my brother and he is from my Constituency.

    “The Speaker is managing everybody because we don’t look at party affiliation; election has come and gone and the key point is how we can move this state forward.

    “Please, continue to pray for Mr President and for all of us in government because times are very tough; it’s been a very challenging time for all of us, including those of us at the state level.

    “It’s not easy with us here because 90 per cent of Deltans are depending on the state government and if you look at the entire wage bill of the state, its over 80,000 workers when you combine State Workforce, Local Government workers and teachers, among others.”

    Specifically on the issue of the new minimum wage, Governor Oborevwori said the state had started payment of the new minimum wage, assuring that those who have not received, would receive as from Monday.

    “I want to thank all Deltans; as a government, we will continue to support them but they should try as much as possible to help themselves too.

    “For those who have left this country and are still receiving salaries, we will no longer pay them because they cannot remain abroad and still be on payroll. It is very bad; it is an act of wickedness and will not be accepted.”

    While congratulating Mrs Amioku, Governor Oborevwori urged the celebrant to continue trusting God and lauded her contributions to the growth of the Delta State Civil Service.

    “On behalf of my family, the government and good people of Delta State, I congratulate and rejoice with Chief Mrs Roseline Amioku on her 70th birth anniversary.”

    In his homily, titled “Do not lose hope”, the Catholic Bishop of Warri Diocese, Most Revd. Anthony Ewherido, said things might be nasty and terrible at the moment for Nigerians, but urged them not to lose hope because the “Lord will turn things around for good” if they look up to God for help.

  • Abandoned projects: ICPC returns over 500 contractors to sites

    Abandoned projects: ICPC returns over 500 contractors to sites

    The Indepedent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said it has returned over 500 contractors to sites to complete abandoned and shoddily completed projects.

    The commission said this was achieved through its Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Initiative (CEPTI).

    Demola Bakare, Spokesperson for ICPC, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He quoted the ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu, as saying this at a Policy Dialogue on the Role of the Private Sector in the Implementation of Constituency Projects in Nigeria.

    The dialogue was organised by OrderPaper Advocacy Initiative in Abuja.

    The chairman, represented by the Secretary of the Commission, Mr Clifford Oparaodu, said CEPTI had saved the country hundreds of millions of naira in the process.

    ”CEPTI, through its various phases has tracked over 3,485 projects between 2019 and 2023.

    ”Some of the uncompleted projects not only deprived Nigerians of basic amenities and infrastructure, but also posed the risk of increased security risks.

    ”Some of the projects or buildings might be inhabited by unscrupulous members of the community,” he said.

    Aliyu underlined the importance of the Private sector in monitoring the implementation of constituency projects in the country.

    He said that completed constituency projects were major dividends of democracy, which fostered growth and development at the grassroots.

    The ICPC chairman said that lack of accountability in execution of projects was “a red flag of systemic corruption” that short changes the electorate and deprives them of beneficial social systems that should be readily available.

    Aliyu further said that the private sector had a major role to play in identifying and preventing corruption in execution of projects and highlighted the successes recorded via the project tracking initiative of the Commission.

    He lauded the increased impact of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), NGOs and other stakeholders in the private sector.

    “Private sector participation in constituency project implementation is integral to the execution of such projects hence it should be accorded the necessary encouragement.

    ”This is based on the conviction that the process stands to benefit more from value chain in areas like funding and investment” the chairman added.

    Aliyu stated that the recent pronouncement of the Supreme Court as regards Local Government autonomy necessitated increased efforts to optimise the resources allocated to the grassroots.

    While welcoming participants to the policy dialogue, the Executive Director of Orderpaper, Mr Oke Epia, stated that “Constituency projects are no longer matters under the radar”

    He said that they were meant to benefit communities and improve the living standard of the society.

    Epia further said that Orderpaper from its inception was in the business of correcting erroneous information and misconceptions about the role of lawmakers in the implementation of constituency projects.

    He maintained that corruption and lack of accountability in the execution of such projects should not be apportioned to lawmakers alone, but rather the spotlight should also focus on contractors.

    According to Epia, corruption cannot happen without the connivance and collaboration of contractors and the financial system (institutions) too”.

    He urged stakeholders to see the dialogue as an opportunity to facilitate robust conversation and focus on how to collaborate with the private sector to deescalate issues hampering transparency and accountability.

    Also, the Majority leader of the Senate, Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele, said that the success of the implementation of constituency projects was dependant on the conduct of all key players in the sector.

    “No government, no matter how well organised, can guarantee a nation’s rebirth,”Bamidele said.

    He called on members of the private sector to dedicate time and resources to the growth and development of their communities as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

    The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, stated that key players of the private sector should work in tandem with Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA)

    According to him, working with LEA like ICPC and EFCC will help curb the corruption in constituency projects.

    Olukoyede, who was represented by Dr Eze Johnson, added that the input of members of the community was equally important in the implementation of projects.

    He said they were the end users and their input will automatically reduce waste and prevent corruption.

    The EFCC chairman praised the initiative of the  policy dialogue, stating that constant discourse creates multiple solutions to prevailing issues in the implementation of constituency projects.

  • Umahi issues 14 days ultimatum to contractors to return to site

    Umahi issues 14 days ultimatum to contractors to return to site

    The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, has given contractors constructing federal highways 14 days to mobilise their personnel and equipment back to site or risk lossing their contracts.

    The minister gave this warning during a meeting with all contractors handling federal roads on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He warned that any contractor who fails to comply with the directive and meet up with the deadline would be kicked out and replaced with other contractors.

    Umahi also told the contractors to desist from frustrating the plan of government to move on with the plan to use concrete technology rather than asphalt.

    Stressing the need for concrete roads, he said Mr President did a concrete road in Lagos.

    “He reminded me about this yesterday. I believe Nigerians will support us on the fact that when you do this asphalt there should be a guarantee on it.

     

  • FG says only competent contractors will handle road projects

    FG says only competent contractors will handle road projects

    The Federal Government says only competent contractors will henceforth be engaged in handling road projects across the country to reduce the incidence of delay in completion.

    Sen. Dave Umahi, Minister of Works, disclosed this to State House Correspondents after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He said that some contractors have been identified with collecting several road projects at once without the capacity to handle such projects.

    ‘’The delay of contractor completion has been identified as the propensity of contractors to take on several road projects that they do not have the equipment to tackle.

    ‘’This has led to delays and sometimes abandonment of projects across the country. This needs to change so that the renewed hope of the Tinubu-led administration can reach and benefit the people,’’ he said.

    Umahi said that the President also approved the contract for various roads across the country that needed urgent attention including the Benin-Sapele, Third Mainland bridge rehabilitation, the East-West road among others.

    On the use of asphalt, the minister said that contractors are allowed to use it with certain conditions attached so as to ensure quality job.

    ‘’The ministry is only providing an alternative to asphalt by introducing the use of concrete in road constructions. But if any contractor wishes to continue with the asphalt, then he must meet conditions.

    ‘’The conditions are that you will guarantee Nigerians that when you finish this asphalt road, job, which you are very sure it will not fail within at least 15 years. The design shelf life is 20 years but assure us in writing from a reputable insurance company and from their own company that this road will not fail within 15 years.

    ‘’So we are saying that concrete is very friendly with water and so we want you contractors to have an alternative. There is a catalyst in the use of concrete pavement. It will create jobs for our people. Everything about the construction is local.

    ‘’10 manufacturers of cement have indicated interests to build cement factories. That is good for our economy. It will reduce pressure on the Naira. The road is going to be much more durable,’’ he said.

    Umahi called for the cooperation of all stakeholders to the various reforms by the administration to create a new economic prosperity for Nigerians, adding ”no gang up by anybody or group” will deter this determination.

  • This cannot happen in any of your countries’ – Umahi warns expatriate contractors against substandard jobs

    This cannot happen in any of your countries’ – Umahi warns expatriate contractors against substandard jobs

    The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, has warned indigenous and expatriate contractors engaged in the construction of road projects across the country against substandard works.

    The minister, gave the warning in Abuja at a meeting with contractors handling federal roads, said sub-standard work was no longer acceptable.

    Umahi said most of the roads currently being constructed in the country could not last for seven years after construction

    He frowned at how contractors cheat Nigerians in the materials they use to construct roads in the country.

    “Our expatriate contractors, this cannot happen in any of your countries, it cannot.

    “Anywhere there is a project going on, the first thing that is done is the convenience of the people. I feel we are being taken for a ride, and we are being taken for granted.

    You feel you are doing us a favour, you are not doing us a favour, this is business, and this attitude must stop,” he said

    He also decried the discomfort and pains Nigerians face while travelling on federal roads, saying he had to feel their pains when he travelled to Edo from Abuja.

    He said the contractors constantly increase the cost of project and cheat the country through contracts variation and the use of asphalt materials, which are subject to the international price of crude oil.

    According to him, there is no project being constructed right now in Nigeria that is going to last for seven years.

    “The question is, are we going to be maintaining or reconstructing our roads after every 10 years.

    “That is what we have been doing. I traveled from Abuja to Benin City through Lokoja, all the stretches of the road are on contract, ongoing, this is through the policy of the last administration but how much of the roads are motorable?

    “I travelled through the roads myself and I shed tears for the kind of pains our people are going through.

    “I spent 14 hours on the road having started my journey from 10 a.m. and got to Benin City at 2 p.m. the next day and I was very happy I experienced the pains.

    “President Tinubu said I must travel through all the projects so that I will brief him on my experience and tell him the truth,” he said

    Umahi further said he had stopped the signing of the funds to be released to contracts who are seeking price variation of their contracts, adding that Mr President was not aware of such increases.

    The minister debunked the claim that cement price would go to N9,000 if the government starts doing concrete roads saying that it was blackmail against him by the people who don’t want the progress in the construction industry.

    He added that he was doing his work with the fear of God.

    “This is my line of instructions. I will do whatever the president instructs me to do and he is the only one and God that can cancel my instructions so don’t waste your time reporting me to anyone apart from these two.

    “No matter the amount of blackmail and lies, it will not prevail. I travelled to the south west, I am not totally unhappy with the project there and supervision as I gave them 80 marks.

    While critising workers in the ministry for not doing their supervision of contracts as they are expected, he said they had blood in their hands for the number of people that died in road accidents and those that were kidnapped.

    “Unless Mr President does something about it, his lofty intention to help this country may not totally be achieved. Documents will be sent to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) it will stay for six months.

    “How will the contractors do the additional job you directed them to do without a backup authorization.

    “I am warning all directors to get your controllers back to work, I want to see all the roads motorable, trucks should be off the road, any road where trucks fall I recall the director,” Umahi warned.

    Also at the stakeholders meeting, President of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, said the council was delighted to be part of the meeting.

    According to him, the minister has shown a peculiar direction in bringing change to the sector.

    He said COREN was going to do a follow up and have a meaningful engagement with the contractors.

    He complained that there was a lot of non-compliance on the aspects that have to do with expatriates engagement in the country especially quota allocation adding that Nigeria having been admitted to the Washington Accord demand compliance.

    Abubakar, therefore, appealed to the directors to bridge the gaps notes by the minister adding that COREN would do its own due diligence.

     

  • FG owes contractors over N11 trillion – Fashola

    FG owes contractors over N11 trillion – Fashola

    The Federal Government owes contractors about N11.16tn for the construction of various highways across the country and certificates of completion.

    The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), who made this disclosure while defending the proposed budget of his ministry in the 2023 Appropriation Bill, said his ministry had currently awarded 1,642 highway contracts for 1,632 projects at a total sum of N10.395tn.

    Fashola, while appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Works in Abuja yesterday, with the lawmakers asking him to “take a bow and go” after his presentation, stated, “The main challenge to highways development in the country remains inadequate funding. As at date, the government is committed to highway contractors to the tune of about N10.4tn, while a total of about N765bn are unpaid certificates for executed works.

    “Secondly, the shortage of younger engineers/technical officers in the ministry as a result of embargo on employment is affecting proficient project supervision at the sites. It is expected that more sources of funding of highway projects be explored as well as lifting the embargo on employment of needed engineers/technical officers at middle level to enhance supervision of projects.”

    Reading from his written presentation to the committee, the minister noted that the regime had built roads with a cumulative distance of about 8,000 kilometres out of the about 13,000 kilometres under (re)construction.

    He stated that the ministry had documented creation of 339,955 jobs across road projects, saying, “These are the human activities behind the kilometres (of road constructed).”

    He further said that some of the jobs were created through lane marking covering 1,663,954 linear meters, “which was not visible on our roads before but you can now see them beginning to emerge.”

    The minister also noted that 250,583 road signs were missing on the roads as of 2015.

    According to Fashola, the construction companies had used 1,002,960,851 litres of diesel for various projects.

    “Construction companies don’t buy diesel; they buy from the market. All of these suppliers are small businesses who benefit from and are impacted by what we do.”

    The minister also said the contractors had used 1.6 million tonnes of cement, adding that, “These are activities going on, impacting people beyond what we do here.”

    He stressed that 512,000 tonnes of reinforcement, 3,371,000 tonnes of bitumen, among other materials, had been used for the projects.

    Fashola further said, “It is to be noted that as at October, 2022, the ministry had a cumulative unpaid certificates in the sum of N765.017bn for ongoing highway and bridge projects. Apart from the pressure of resources to pay, there is the inadequacy of annual budget provisions where N100m or N200m was provided for roads costing N20bn or more.

    “In spite of all odds, 20 major highway projects have so far been completed in 2022 and are ready for commissioning. The total cost of the completed projects is in the sum of N444.322,123,808.61 and they cover a total length of 379.677km. Additionally, there are 59 major highways/bridges priority projects that are at advanced level, to be completed within 2022-2023, with a total contract sum of N60,961,187,130.71.”

    Fashola also noted that the ministry had initiated an intensive bridge maintenance programme to ensure serviceability of the major assets, adding that bridges were critical structures that guaranteed connectivity across the federal road network.

    “Some bridges have never been maintained since they were constructed over 40 years ago. Furthermore, illegal commercial (human) activities, which are detrimental to these national assets, contributed to their deterioration,” he stressed.

  • Contractors return to site, begin rehabilitation of Agbara-Badagry Expressway

    Contractors return to site, begin rehabilitation of Agbara-Badagry Expressway

    The contractors handling the reconstruction of the Agbara- Badagry section of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, have returned to site.

    Newsmen reports that the construction firm, CGC Nigeria Limited, in a move that surprised motorists, commuters and residents of the area, pulled out all their trucks and earth-moving equipment from the site at the end of August owing to lack of funds.

    The abandonment of the project caused massive logjam in that lasted for hours in the area, especially whenever it rained.

    At the peak of the problem which became a nightmare for both motorists and pedestrians, the traffic hold-up started as early as 4 a.m. and would last throughout the day and into the night.

    Newsmen who visited the site on Monday, reports that CGC had deployed about 12 of their caterpillars and other earth-moving equipment to site around the Church-Gate area.

    Newsmen also reports that some staff of the company were doing skeletal jobs, including the excavation of muddy patches.

    Further investigation by newsmen also revealed that some trucks belonging to the firm had started moving filling sand from Ikoga area to the Church-Gate area.

    Meanwhile, motorists plying the expressway have expressed joy at CGC’s return to site.

    Speaking to newsmen, Mr Kamarudeen Alaka, said he was delighted to see the construction workers back to the site.

    According to him, the Church-Gate area of the expressway has become a nightmare for both motorists and commuters plying the road because of the endless traffic.

    “That CGC workers are back to site calls for celebration.

    “This has shown that our government is a listening one, we have begged them to pay the contractors so that they would return and now they are back.

    “We thank President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Raji Fashola, for listening to our cries,” he said.

    Mrs Elizabeth Ishola, a car owner, said that she used to spend up to three hours in the gridlock at the Church-Gate area due to the abandoned project.

    She said that seeing CGC workers back on site was a huge relief to her.

    Ishola appealed to the government to ensure that enough money was provided for the workers so that they would not abandon the project again.

    Meanwhile, a senior employee of the construction company, who pleaded not to be identified as he was not authorised to speak on behalf of the firm, confirmed that the company had not been paid.

    He said the firm, however, had an agreement with the ministry to return to site.

    He said that the workers would not work `aggressively“ but “gradually“ until the government paid the firm.

    Newsmen reports that traditional rulers in Badagry communities on Oct.19 appealed to the Federal Government over the abandoned Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

    They told newsmen that the abandoned portions of the expressway had become a major source of concern to them.

    The Onimeke of Imeke Kingdom in Badagry, Oba Abraham Ogabi, said the Minister of Works and Housing, had earlier assured the royal fathers in Badagry that the first lane of the project would be completed before the end of the year.

    “Instead of completing the project, the contractors have now abandoned portions of the project around Ibiye community.

    “The abandoned portions of the road have become a problem to the people and whenever it rains, there is gridlock in which motorists and their passengers spend several hours on the same spot,“ he earlier told NAN.

  • Contractors of abandoned 400bn National Primary Health Centre projects resume to sites

    Contractors of abandoned 400bn National Primary Health Centre projects resume to sites

    Contractors of an alleged 400bn abandoned National Primary Health Centre projects have resumed to sites following a motion to investigate the projects, moved by Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, representing Kwara Central district.

     

    This was as local government authorities were seen receiving medical equipment.

     

    Recall that the Senate had resolved to investigate the reason for abandoning the project over the years.

     

    Specifically, the upper legislative chamber mandated its Committee on Health, and Primary Health care and Communicable Disease to find the status of the 100 percent project funds warehouse with the then Bank PHB, now Keystone Bank.

     

    The committees were also asked to investigate the level of progress and status of the projects in each of the 774 local governments, carry out an evaluation of the contractor and sub-contractors that participate in the projects.

     

    The Senate resolutions were sequel to the consideration of a motion, titled: “Need to investigate the abandoned Four Hundred Billion Naira National Primary Health Centre project” jointly sponsored by Senators Ibrahim Oloriegbe (APC Kwara Central) and Sadiq Umar (APC Kwara North) during plenary.

     

    Presenting the motion, Senator Oloriegbe, informed that the NPHC was initiated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2006 to build in each of the 774 local government areas in Nigeria, a 60-bed primary health centres which were to be complemented with a three-bedroom flat, doctors quarters, an ambulance, all basic hospital equipment and drugs.

     

    To achieve this, he said, “the federal government deducted monies from the excess crude account of all the 774 local government areas on a monthly basis, warehoused the same with the then Platinum Habib Bank (now Keystone Bank) until the funds required for the actualisation of the project was realized.”

     

    Senator Oloriegbe said the bill of quantities for the projects was prepared by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, and approved by the Bureau of Public Procurement, wondering that despite all these, “the contract for the execution of the projects in the entire 774 local government areas, was awarded to Messrs Mattans Nig. Ltd without any known tendering and selection process.”

     

    He noted that the company sub-contracted out the jobs to consultants and sub-contractors without any verification of capacity and capabilities to properly execute the jobs and without the consent of the government or its agencies involved then.

     

    Contributing, Senator Umar the delivery of good health care to Nigerians is an aspect that can ensure the development of the country, observing that the recorded successes in health care delivery in developed climes are directly tied to the quality of primary health services.

     

    “The key policy for primary health care in Nigeria is that every ward across the country must have a functional primary health care centre where people can access health care delivery to be able to take care of maternal mortality rates that we are concerned about and other related health issues,” Umar said.

     

    He lamented that the National Primary Health Center projects dispersed across the various constituencies have been abandoned by the contractors, some of whom are unknown.

     

    On his part, Senator Matthew Urhogide (PDP Edo South), said the merit of the NPHC project cannot be downplayed in view of its importance to health care delivery in Nigeria.

     

    According to him, the project was supposed to be the basis for the establishment of primary health centres in the 774 local government areas.

     

    He disclosed that recently, some of the representatives of companies who were awarded the contracts appeared before some of the Senate Committees to claim that they have not been paid for the execution of the projects.

     

    In her contribution, Senator Biodun Olujimi (PDP Ekiti South), said the abandoned project was a “commitment to primary health gone wrong”.