Na so road project wahala don dey heat up for Kogi state as federal government and contractors no gree see eye to eye! Since dem award Abuja-Lokoja and Lokoja-Benin road projects, work dey go slow like tortoise wey no wan hustle.
On Monday, senior government dempsey, Dr. Abiodun Essiet, wey sabi community wahala well, carry him mouth come talk say the slow pace dey unacceptable. Him no fit hide him disappointment as e watch the ongoing work. ‘This level of progress no dey impress me at all,’ na im talk. ‘We dey urge dem to intensify effort because na busy road dis, and people dey expect better from Mr. President!’
But make we no forget sey contractor wey dey handle Lokoja-Benin road, Abubakar Yaba, don drop in own gist. Him talk say na lack of funds dey block dem progress. E claim sey dem don complete only 38% of the work wey supposed don show fire by now. ‘Na N59 billion wey dem certify for payment, but na only N54 billion we don receive. Over N4 billion still dey outstanding,’ him talk as e dey vex. Wetin we go do?
As e be, wahala don start since December 2012 when dem start di project. But e get as e be, phase two suppose start for October 2014. Latest, dem don push commencement date of augmentation to July 2024. But no be so the gist be; dem don chop N16.7 billion as advance payment, but only N2.8 billion don land for dia pocket.
Dr. Essiet jabo back say she no gree with di contractor. According to her, money no suppose dey the problem after dem show proof of financial strength before dem give dem the contract. Na wetin we go talk?’ No be only money, tenders now, and we need more equipment for dis work to carry on fast!
Meanwhile, Federal Controller for Works for Kogi state, Engr. Patiko Musa, don talk sey dem dey attend to the complaints from di contractors like wahala wey dey hot for water. Him assure dem sey their grace dey come; especially on requests for extensions and payments. Wetin we go talk? Na just be patient as dem dey waka small, small.
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