THE Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani has disclosed that about N800 billion to N1 trillion will be needed to complete the ongoing projects in the oil rich region.
This is just as he said that successive governments had already paid over N400 billion to contractors handling various projects in the region but project execution level still remain 13 per cent.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Pastor Usani expressed shock that Niger Delta indigenes who disguised as contractors disappear after being mobilized, he further threatened to drag those found wanting to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Minister also said that section 5 of the controversial East West road which links Port Harcourt and Calabar will still gulp about N270 billion while N200 billion will be needed to complete section 1 to 4 of the road.
He added that at the end of 2015, the ministry had outstanding liabilities of more than N34 billion for what seem to be the certificates on available jobs done.
According to him “With this revelation, it is easy to conclude that the ministry of Niger Delta Affairs require between N800 billion to N1 trillion to effectively complete its projects. This is my calculative imagination.”
Pastor Usani disclosed that the duplication of the section 5 of the East West road was delayed on technical grounds , adding that asides the faulty alignment on the design, the project cost was negotiated in Naira, while the contract was signed in US Dollars, hence making the entire process questionable.
The minister explained that so far, the ministry has remobilised contractors to their various project site after clearing debt of N4 billion to them, promising that more funds would be made available.
He said the ministry trained about 150 youths to assemble smart phones and tablets.