By Amos Aar
THE Benue State Government says it has terminated the contract for Origbo-Imande Akpu-Gbajimba road project in Guma local government area of the state owing to “lukewarm attitude” of the contractor whose name was not known by the state government.
State Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Mike Inalegwu, who briefed journalists shortly after an emergency State Executive Council (SEC) meeting on Thursday said the contract was initially awarded for over four billion naira before an upward review was made to over six billion naira without commensurate output by the contractor.
Inalegwu who said he did not know the name of the contractor however said the contract will be re-awarded to another person and part of the money may be recovered after due assessment.
“Because of the lukewarm attitude of the contractor handling Origbo-Imande Akpu-Gbajimba 40.37 km road, the Exco terminated that road because they are not doing it according to specification and terms of the contract.
“The government is interested in opening up rural areas and when the contract was awarded, the people in Guma axis felt that that road would be completed on time so that when they are harvesting their products, they will be able to evacuate it to the nearest markets.
“The contract was initially awarded for four billion, seven hundred and sixty-six million, eight hundred and fifty-eight thousand, four hundred and forty-five naira, sixty-three Kobo in March, 2016. But the contractor complained and the contract was reviewed for him so that he will complete this work with the sum of six billion, one hundred and twenty-six million, three hundred and seventy-two thousand, two kobo.
“But despite the review and efforts put up by the government to meet the expectation, he failed woefully and for that reason we cannot commit our scarce resources to somebody that is not ready to meet up the obligations. That is why the Exco, after series of warning, terminated the contract today to be given to somebody that is competent to handle it”, Inalegwu said.
Asked the name of the contractor handling the job and what was left to be done if the contract was to be re-awarded, the Information Commissioner said: “After my due consultation with the Commissioner of Works, I will forward the name of the contractor to you”.
He said that 30 percent mobilisation was paid to the contractor to commence work on the project.
On whether the contractor will refund the money, Inalegwu said: “Whatever he has done, we will assess and if he has not done enough, he will refund.”
When National Record contacted the Commissioner of Works and Transport, Engr Jude Uungwa, on Thursday through phone call, SMS and WhatsApp chat to know the contractor’s name, he promised to get back to the reporter but he did not. The Commissioner of Information on the other hand did not also get back to journalists about the contractor’s identity as he promised.
