Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has frowned at the nonchalant handling of Bori internal roads project despite more than 80 per cent of the agreed contractual terms being paid.
The governor, who said the contractor’s approach was unacceptable, ordered him to return to site and complete the project, or face severe consequences. Fubara gave the order when he visited the project site in Bori Town, headquarters of Khana Council of Rivers State, yesterday.
The governor explained: “This project was awarded before my assumption of office. But I have made two payments for this project. The total value of this project is over N6b.
“In the month of June, 2023, I paid the first N2 billion, and in December 2023, I also released another N2 billion, making about 80 per cent of the project value.”
“So, I am surprised that somebody will say that we are not interested in completing this project that is in my senatorial district,” the governor said. Fubara said it is even more worrisome that after those payments were made, the contractor refused to move men and equipment to site.
The governor pointed to a very disturbing incident where the contractor sacked his front desk officer for receiving a letter sent by the Ministry of Works to demand for an update on the Bori internal roads project.
“I came here this afternoon to inspect the Bori internal roads under construction. And honestly speaking, my major reason of coming here is because we got a very disturbing propaganda.
“Some persons were circulating negative reports on social media that we deliberately abandoned the continuation of Bori internal roads project. Maybe, the persons have political reason.
“It is very unfortunate that every time we find ourselves in this kind of situation. So, my coming here today is to let the world know of the situation.
“I don’t want to mention the name of the contractor, let it not be that I am being personal. But the contractor knows himself. “He should better go back to site or I will do something that will embarrass him as a person,” he added.
The governor also assured residents of the area who came out in their numbers to cheer him, singing his praises, that the road would be completed to ease movement of the people.
