Edo Warns Contractors against Shoddy Jobs

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Edo State Government has warned the contractors handling various construction works to adhere to contract specifications, as it would not accept shoddy jobs.

Members of the state Sub-committee on Assets Verification set by the  Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, gave this warning when it visited construction sites to ascertain the level of compliance by the contractors who were awarded jobs by the immediate past administration.

Chairman of the five-man sub-committee, Mr. Patrick Obahiagbon, who  spoke, also explained that the aim to visit construction sites is not to witch-hunt but to ensure that the funds already disbursed to the contractors are in alignment with the percentage of jobs executed before they can asked for more money.

The committee further expressed concern over what it described as outrageous, the N4.5 billion cost of 14 inner roads around Adesuwa,  off Airport road in Benin City.

This was just as the committee bemoaned the advance payment of N5 billion out of the N19 billion to a contractor handling the reconstruction of Owina/Evbuotubu, Erunmwunse and Ope roads, who has only done 15 per cent of the quoted contract sum whereas he should have done more than that.

“It is our reasoned opinion that this 14 inner roads off Airport road should not have cost Edo State Government N4.5 billion because they  are existing roads with no provision for drainages and street lights,” the sub-committee head stated.

According to Obahiagbon, who was accompanied  by other members of the committee, “this exercise is geared towards finding out whether contractors are working according to their contractual terms and obligations.”

Other projects sites visited by the committee included: First Ugbor, adjourning road in Upper Sakponba and the Airport road after the bridge.

He therefore, encouraged the contractors to strengthen their work presence so that the road can be finished in good time for the benefits of Edo State citizens.”