THE era of contract abandonment in Delta State is gone given the recent termination of contracts that have outlived their timeline by the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori administration.
Projects abandonment has been a recurring issue. As of December 2021 alone, the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) quoted a report by the Abandoned Projects Audit Commission set up by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 that a staggering 56,000 projects were abandoned across the federation.
While this figure is sure to raise eyebrows, it is more troubling that these contracts, which have gulped hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ money in most instances, were conceived to ameliorate the plight of the people.
The Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, hinted that the latest initiative is to enable the government to deliver the dividends of democracy to Deltans.
Regrettably, the reverse seems to be the case, as our cities and rural areas are replete with uncompleted and decrepit school buildings, health centres, subpar roads, and shaggy water and power infrastructure, among other social amenities.
A prime example of such projects in Delta State is the Senate Building project of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, which has been abandoned for over 22 years but recently re-awarded by the governor to a more competent contractor.
We commend Governor Oborevwori for his resolve to revoke all contracts that do not meet contractual agreements.
According to the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, the government is currently examining several contracts and was unequivocal that any contractor deviating from the terms of the contract and envisaged quality project execution will have their jobs terminated, regardless of their perceived influences.
As a matter of fact, there is nothing wrong with a responsible government that is determined to ensure that projects are carried out for the benefit of the people within a defined period vitiating non performing jobs and handing them over to other capable contractors. Without a doubt, the decision would ensure that Deltans get value for every kobo spent.
Gratifyingly, some of the repudiated and re-awarded contracts have started manifesting the intentions of the government for the people as the new contractors are moving with speed in the execution of such projects. This is commendable
Our considered view is that the threat of repudiation and actual revocation of failed projects will serve as a deterrent to all contractors handling jobs for the state government. Of course, the moment a contractor deviates from the specifications, either as contained in the Bill of Quantities (BoQ), the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME).
We understand that some of these contractors deliberately deploy delay tactics in the execution of projects, even after they have been initially mobilised to the site, with the hope of a possible upward review of contracts usually justified by prevailing economic realities. They must desist from such treachery and be patriotic to the people.
Again, it is not sufficient to terminate failed contracts while the irresponsible contractors are allowed to walk freely and enjoy the proceeds from their loot. They should be sued for breach of contract and made to pay for the damages done. When this is done, contractors would understand that it is no longer business as usual, as consequences await any defaulter.
While we condemn rogue contractors, we also urge the government to award contracts to qualified persons or companies and not solely based on political patronages or other primordial considerations, as demonstrated by Governor Oborevwori’s choice of construction giants, Julius Berger for the construction of flyovers in the Warri area. Conclusively, we call on the citizenry to show greater involvement in monitoring these projects and raise the alarm about non-performance or underperformance immediately so that the government can act promptly.
