As the veracity or otherwise of the N458m bribe allegedly to have been taking by the Deputy Governor of Imo state from a contractor, Sir Jude Agbaso is yet to be determined, another contract scandal alleged to be masterminded by the Members of Imo State House of Assembly is brewing.
The latest deal has to do with reported Asphalt racketeering where some members of the Imo State House of Assembly were alleged to have struck a deal to rip off millions from contractors handling road projects in the state.
Imo Trumpeta exclusively learnt that the Joint State and Local Government Project Monitoring Committee; a special committee in the state to monitor road projects in the state reportedly brokered a deal where the contractors after preliminary construction works would stop at prima stage and allow Asphalting firms procured and recommended by the committee to do the Asphalting. The contractors, according to the arrangement were requested to sign a letter of authorization permitting the project committee to undertake Asphalting of the roads by recommending their choice firms for the work.
It was however learnt that four firms which the Assembly members either have vested interest or ownership have been handed the Asphalting job. The deal which the contractors consider fraudulent and a big rip off on their side will see them forfeit about N23m for one kilometer road, though with variations in sizes, whereas Asphalting of one kilometer road according to them costs between N10m to N12m.
Some contractors who pleaded anonymity for fear of victimization said that it is a “big rip off” on their side as this new posture by the committee comprised of lawmakers is unwarranted as it was not contained in the agreement paper signed between them and Imo State Government, for the execution of the road project in the state.
Our newspaper learnt that the new Commissioner for Works, Mr Nick Oparandudu who took over from the embattled Deputy Governor for the Ministry regularized all road projects between contractors and state government where all necessary formalities concerning due process were observed. In the new arrangement, government not only did designs of the roads but secured the services of consultants who monitored the projects to ensure it tallies with approved specifications. In the same process, the contractors secured an APG, an assurance instrument required from banks to enable government pay to the banks for effective execution of the works at various stages. It entails banks monitoring the projects with consultants and paying at every stage of the job after assessment. The contractors however became worried and upset when the committee comprising Assembly and House Committee on Works, imported the idea of writing authorization to allow them undertake Asphalting of a kilometer for N23m whereas it cost not more than N12m per one kilometer.
The contractors wondered if the lawmakers have abandoned their respective legislative duties and constituency representation to be road contractors and Asphalt marketers. Adding that they cannot be coerced and railroad into the funny deal even as some had issued them with post dated cheques for the Asphalt provision. The contractors raised eyebrows why Asphalt firms belonging to the Speaker and some members were only considered for the job.
It was learnt that while Speaker Ben Uwajumogu has Uwadis and Co, Asphalting firm located in the state capital, the member representing Oguta State Assembly, Eugene Dibiagwu has vested interest in Frank and Gene Company, two firms involved in the deals. Others included in the Asphalt are said to be fronted by some members of the state legislature.
When contacted for reaction, the State/Local Government Joint Project Committee Chairman, Bro Stan Dara described the contractor’s claims as nothing but a cheap blackmail oozing from unserious persons who want to dupe the state again and abandon their projects.
The member representing Orsu State Constituency disclosed that there is no iota of truth in the allegations raised by the contractors as they were economical with facts and only raised alarm to tarnish the image of members. Dara said that in view of the fact that 90% (ninety percent) of the contractors handling state and rural roads are not renowned road contractors and taking into consideration high rate of abandonment of road projects by contractors in the state in recent times, the committee adopted strategic measures to ensure quality control and non performance of road projects which is in the interest of the state.
According to the ranking lawmaker, there is nothing like Asphalt racketeering as there is agreement between the state government and some firms to undertake asphalting of on going roads at certain stage of the work. Dara who confirmed that there is post-dated cheques from some of the contractors for that purpose, made available official contractual agreement between some Asphalt companies and the Ministry of Local Government/Rural Development “for that purposes of supplying and laying of Asphalt on designated roads as requested by the ministry at the rate agreed to with the road contractor but not in excess of N21m per kilometer, the Asphalt having a thickness of 50mm which said thickness shall be compacted to 40mm on each designated road by 7.3 metres”.
Speaking further, Dara said that the amount of N12m which the contractors claimed to Asphalt a kilometre is unrealistic and negates what was agreed in the “Bill of Quantity” of the contract which stipulates N30m per kilometer of road for Asphalt. “The new arrangement is even meant to save cost for the contractors than the rip-off they are claiming. This measure is adopted to checkmate activities of non performing contractors who are owing the state about 70% of job not done. We are against contractors who would collect monies and flee thereby abandoning the road projects, it is for the good of the state”.
In response, the contractors further accused the Joint State/Local Project Committee of breach of contractual agreement alleging that the issue of compulsory Asphalting by the nominated firms is for selfish reasons, as there are supervising ministries and consultants nominated by the state government to monitor and ensure their jobs are satisfactory and matches agreed specifications. “Since we have an APG from banks and consultants monitoring our jobs, we cannot abandon our jobs, or work under specification because of the instruments therein. Some of us have private Asphalting plants to undertake our jobs than the rip-off game from the lawmakers”.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Works in the State, Mr Nick Oparandudi has assured that about 200 kilometre roads would be completed by the end of April this year.
Addressing members of the Independent Publishers Association (INPA) during an interactive session Tuesday evening, Oparandudi disclosed that work is in top gear at various rural and state roads in the state, adding that by the end of March, 100-kilometre road would have been Asphalted while April will record another 100 kilometre.
On traffic congestion, Oparandudu who washed hands off any involvement in the current travails of his kinsman, the embattled Deputy Governor said that strategic measures are underway to ensure free flow of traffic in the state capital.
The Emekuku born financial guru explained that apart from the construction of new bye-pass from PortHarcourt Road by Housing Junction to Onitsha Road that is about 5 kilometres work has began on the Naze-Nekede-Ihiagwa-Obinze road to ease traffic for those heading from Aba to PortHarcourt.
