Why we don’t owe contractors — Delta Commissioner

The State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, has stated why the state doesn’t owe contractors.

Stating that the state is determined to ensure quality and timely delivery of projects allocated.

The  Commissioner disclosed this on Wednesday while inspecting multiple road projects in Sapele metropolis, including the failed portions of the Okirighwre-Benin Road, Okirighwre-Amukpe Road, Shell Road Extension, and Hausa Road Extension.

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Accompanied by the Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, the Commissioner commended property owners on the right of way for cooperating with the government to ensure quality road construction in the overall interest of the public.

“I am happy that the contractors themselves are on site and they are also progressing speedily,” he said. “You do know that my boss, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has made it clear that we will not owe contractors.

“As we are mobilising them, we are paying for certificates and all: so, what we expect from them is to reciprocate that gesture coming from the government.

“We realise that what exists between us and these contractors is a partnership, a partnership that must work. As a government, we represent the people of Delta in that partnership.

Aniagwu added, “What we owe them is to be able to pay them for the jobs they are doing, and what they owe us is to be able to deliver according to specification, and also on schedule.

“So, the reason why we are visiting these projects is to ensure that this partnership is working, and that is to the extent that the contractor is expected to deliver according to specification as stated in the Bill of Quantities.

“We are very, very particular about those quantities because those quantities control the amount of funds that we usually deploy for the construction of these different projects.

“We have pointed out a number of some areas where they need to make amends. In some places, we have informed them that they need to demolish certain aspects of their drains, and that is with immediate effect.

“But, on the whole, we are impressed with the speed of work and the fact that they are indeed also realising that that partnership must work.

“The Governor has made it very clear that on no account are we going to sacrifice quality on the altar of friendship and that I have also cautioned those who work with me to ensure that the highest engineering standards are maintained.”