We’ve not abandoned Akugbene Technical College project — Contractor

Wana Enterprises Nigeria, the contractor responsible for constructing the Model Technical College at Akugbene in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, has refuted claims that it has abandoned the project.

This response comes in light of news reports circulating in some dailies and on social media suggesting that the state government had canceled the project and that the contractor had absconded.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the Public Relations Officer, Ms Aboke Akeme, the firm described the reports as not only false but the handiwork of anti-progressive elements.

The firm said the project was very much on course and has not been cancelled by the state government.

“It has come to our attention the countless false publications by fifth columnists and anti-progressive elements in the public domain to the effect that, the Delta State Government has cancelled the well thought-out Model Technical College project at Akugbene, which is meant to bring the dividends of democracy to the good people of Bomadi Local Government Area, and that the contractor has absconded from the site.

“It should be on record that Wana Enterprises Nigeria is a responsible and credible firm with an irrefutable pedigree and track record that is committed to meeting her contractual obligations to the Delta State Government and every other organisation strictly to the letter.

“We wish to set the records straight and put things in their proper perspective, that the present gale of negative publicity and campaign of calumny is the handiwork of detractors who are hell-bent on misrepresenting and discrediting the contractor handling the project, and importantly to under-report the dividends of democracy brought to the good people of Bomadi local government area by the government of Delta State.

“We unequivocally state here that the Model Technical College project at Akugbene is very much on course. It has not been cancelled and will not be cancelled, and the contractor is very much on ground and fully committed to completing the project for His Excellency the Governor of Delta State to the commission.

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“This project, which is one of the legacy projects of the Delta State government meant to soar up socio-economic development in Bomadi local government area, was awarded to Wana Enterprises Nigeria in December 2019, and as we speak, the male hostel, female hostel, dining/kitchen and the Mechanical Engineering workshop buildings have been fully completed and standing.

“The administrative/classrooms block is also at the roofing level, as well as the perimeter fencing which is at the level of 75% completion. More so, sand-filling has equally reached an advanced stage and work, particularly the civil structures on site, is at 75% level of completion despite the difficult terrain where the project is situated.

“However, suffice it to say that the project has suffered from inadequate funding as we have put in the certificate for payment since September 2023, but we are yet to receive payment.

“Again, the galloping inflation that has affected building materials and other goods and services in Nigeria has rendered the present contract sum inadequate for the completion of the project, making a need for upward review of the contract sum absolutely inevitable.

“Notwithstanding the various daunting challenges, we are totally and irrevocably committed to completing the project,” the statement reads in part.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE