Umahi orders N3.98b water project contractor back to site

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state has directed Ganza Engineering  Ltd, the company handling the N3.98bn Ukawu water scheme in Okawu,  Onicha L.G.A  to immediately return to site.

Umahi,who gave the order while inspecting the water project,awarded by the immediate past administration  in April 2008,expressed disappointment with the quality of work and the speed of the contractor in handling the project.

“Tell Ganza to return to work immediately. We will schedule a meeting with the contractor for Friday”,he told the site Engineer by the bank of Ukawu river.

The Ukawu water project was initiated by the former governor of the state,chief Martin Elechi,together with Oferekpe water scheme. While Oferekpe water project was completed without reticulating water to serve Ebonyi people,the Ukawu water project which had a completion period of two years,has remained a ghost of itself.

It was gathered that the contractor which had received N2bn payment  requested that additional N4bn be paid by the state government to enable his company continue work on the project.

Governor Umahi ,who was visibly unhappy on seeing the poor quality , sat down on a concrete deck up the water scheme looking at the contract details  and shaking his head intermittently.

He inspected the project in company with the Commissioner for works, Engr. Fidelis Nweze,Senior technical Assistant to the governor on projects ,Engr. Oka Uchechi, chairman of Onicha LGA,Mrs Elizabeth Onwe and  other top government functionaries.

Umahi had earlier inspected Hilltop/Nwofe/Agbaja Road,Presco flyover,Akanu Ibiam round about flyover among other state projects.