(Minna)
Niger state government has warned that it would deal decisively with any contractors who failed to complete the various road projects,entrusted to them, particularly within Suleja, one of the commercial hubs in the state, on or before agreed deadline.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe, who is also Head of the State Infrastructure Committee read the riot act while assessing the level of work on some ongoing road projects over the weekend, urged the contractors to ‘sit up or face prosecution.’.
Balarabe expressed disappointment at the level of work which according to him fell short of expectations considering advanced payment to such contractors.
“I am very disappointed with what I have seen, this is not acceptable to us at all and we are not going to accept any excuses for failures,”he told the contractors concerned.
What the government is doing is for the general wellbeing of all. “I am disappointed at the pace at which these projects are going.
“You must complete these roads at the stipulated deadline. If the roads are fixed, the people will be happy for it and appreciate the government the more”.
“I believe people have been praying for the government to succeed and for you the contractors because of this project, but since you abandoned it, the people, I am sure will be heaping curses and I know the curses will bounce on you because it is you who have disappointed us,” he further said.
The state Head of Infrastructure Committee said he was also not happy with any excuses of the contractors because monies for compensation had been released to owners of houses affected by the projects.
He therefore urged the contractors to double effort or face the consequences.
Though the contractors refused to speak to our correspondent when he was contacted, feelers had it that the projects could not continue due to paucity of funds, coupled with the Corona Virus pandemic which has forced virtually every household to remain indoors.
Also, when contacted, the Director General, Strategic Operations Unit, ICT and Public Enlightenment, Alhaji Abdulberqi Ebbo said the visit was part of efforts to ensure that projects wrre completed according to the expectations of Governor Abubaka Sani Bello.
He said the governor had mandated that all ongoing projects be completed in good time and as well the highest standards possible.
Other members of the Committee include,Commissioner of Justice, the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, their Budget and Planning and as well their Lands and Housing counterparts.
