Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja
The federal government has expressed concern over the delay in the completion of the East-West Road, saying the development is disturbing as well as sending wrong signals.
It, therefore, asked the three contracting firms handling the project to go back to site, promising that it would mobilise funds to enable them complete the project.
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, who met with officials of the three contracting firms, Gitto, Setraco and RCC in Abuja, Monday, said it had become embarrassing that the road project had last for over a decade in spite of its importance to the Niger Delta region in particular and the nation at large.
He urged the contractors to return to site, and assured them of government’s preparedness to pay them both through budgetary provisions as well as other sources of funds’ mobilisation.
He said: “We will be happy to start paying contractors on the east west road, but we don’t want when we pay for the job to stop. We will appeal to you to remain steady on site based on what government is doing. I want to assure you that government is committed to funding the project.â€
During the interaction with contractors, the minister directed Gitto to pay N2 billion compensation to the Eket community in Akwa Ibom State, saying the government had already released the funds.
Usani’s directive followed disclosure by an official of the company that there was no compensation for the community.
Usani said he was doubly sure that the government had released the funds for compensation, threatening that any attempt to shortchange the people would be visited with relevant sanctions, irrespective of who was involved.
But the construction company said there was a decision already taken between some officials of the ministry which had foreclosed the compensation arrangement.
A visibly angry Usani who responded to this, said any official of the ministry, serving or retired involved would be brought to account.
He said: “….Whoever took that decision is on his own, forget that. Nobody should talk about that suspension. It cannot be supended when I am here and I have not approved. So anybody that did it, whether it is a retired director, should come back and pay. His gratuity he will forfeit it, his pension, he will forfeit it. And he will be prosecuted. That criminality will not be entertained at all.
“I have seen it in the file. Mr. Uche (referring to a director at the meeting), if you are taking that lightly from here, be serious about it. That compensation money must return. It must return.
“There is no alternative to that. There is no such thing, don’t bring that matter here. Don’t even attempt to defend it. Nobody will hold our money and say he will work and deduct from there.
“Are you aware that what you are talking about is virement, which we have no authority to do. Virement is a very serious offence, not even the President can do it without the National Assembly. So, if you have carried out assumption and manipulated that money, tell them to go and look for that money.
“Any attempt to defend them, you go and defend them in court. We gave them money for compensation, if they have not used it for compensation, they should bring it back. I have seen it in files and I have said no. It is a state matter,†he said.
