Rivers state government, yesterday, re-warded the contract for Andoni – Opobo Unity Road, warning stakeholders in the area to caution their youths against any criminal act capable of derailing the project.
The 24-year old Ogoni/Opobo/Nkoro/Andoni project was revoked last month by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, following failure of the contractors handling the project to deliver the job after receipt of full payment several years after.
Addressing stakeholders at Government House, Port Harcourt, Fubara announced that the project has been re-awarded to Monier Construction Company (MCC), while the state has paid 30 per cent of the fund with the aim of delivering the road within nine months.
Fubara said: “About two years ago, we had a meeting at the State Executive Council Chamber where the immediate-past Governor, NyesomWike, discussed with Andoni people and leaders on the way forward on the project.
“In that meeting, the contractor was asked several questions and offered a blank cheque on what it will take to finish the road.
“I was the Accountant-General of the state then, so, I was privy to that meeting and the contractor said he needed a certain amount of money to complete the project.
“The commissioner for works was also in that meeting, we agreed and the money for the project was paid except the retention fund, which was about N1 billion.
“But, it is really unfortunate that there was no progress in that project. The road was not progressing and there were always stories here and there. When we came for campaigns, we promised them that I would ensure the delivery of the project. So, I invited the contractor, but he was not showing any serious sign that he wants to do the job.
“So, the government was left with no option, but to cancel the project after inspection.”
Fubara said as a government, it was painful to re-award projects after paying 90 per cent of the money.
He assured that there would be no going back on the project this time, stressing that it must be completed within nine months.
“We are not just saying we want to complete it, we have already paid 30 per cent of funds to the new contract sum and the contractor is ready to enter the site any moment from now,” he added.
The governor urged the chiefs and leaders of Andoni to join hands and ensure quick delivery of the project, warning against any act of sabotage that may hamper the project.
“We urge you all to join hands to achieve the project. But, if there is any act of sabotage, I mean, trying to frustrate the contractor, through kidnapping or whatever, we will pull out and my administration will not do anything about the road again. But, I don’t want us to get to that point,” Fubara stated.
Responding, the traditional ruler of Andoni, King Aaron Miller Ikuru, lauded the governor for reconsidering the approval of the road project, stressing that it will bring development in the area.
