… Pledges To Proffer Lasting Solutions Towards Delivery Of Projects To Nigerians
By Uduak Akai
UYO
The National Assembly has restated its holistic commitment to addressing all encumbrances hindering completion of the Ikot Ekpene/Itu/Odukpani Federal Highway and other similar projects across the federation.
This position was made known by federal lawmakers during an oversight visit to the ongoing federal roads projects in Akwa Ibom by the Joint National Assembly Committee on Works.
The NASS members, who regretted the number of lives lost on the said road, recalled that for more than a decade residents of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States as well as other road users have continued to look up to the Federal Government for intervention on the state of the Calabar/Itu Road.
The passionate cries by the people and those lives lost on the road have attracted several stakeholders including the Joint National Assembly Committee on Works who were in the state with the aim of proffering lasting solution towards the completion of this project.
Delays in payment of compensation and changing from one contractor to another after mobilisation were among issues of concern raised by the lawmakers.
In his remark, the chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Works, Mr Akin Alabi, commended Raycon Construction Company for keeping faith despite not being paid, assuring that he would be paid considering his zeal and commitment to the project.
Alabi explained that it was the duty of the parliament to ensure that every amount of money released to any contractor is judiciously utilised and advised contractors and everyone concerned with Nigeria’s fundings to always approach the parliament on the issue of non-release of funds as it is their duty to appropriate funds, not the ministry.
The chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Mr Barinada Mpigi, frowned at the issue of changes in contractors every now and then, emphasising that such changes are big setbacks towards the completion of the projects, expressing displeasure over the non-payment of contractors handling this project.
Mpigi averred that without discriminating, the South-South zone produces the golden egg that is being shared to the other five geopolitical zones, therefore, should be treated well, calling on the clerk of the House to immediately furnish the committee with the contract and award letters for further action.
The chairman, Senate Committee on Works lamented: “With what you are doing and the equipment you have mobilised to the site you are not being paid. This road is a major road that concerns the presiding officer that even presides over projects in this country, Mr Senate President, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio. I must take this project and follow up with my colleagues to the extent that it will be constructed”.
He challenged the contractor, Raycon Construction Company, to make known to Nigerians if he would be able to deliver on the project in line with the contract terms.
“Tell Nigerians now before camera if you will not be able to handle this job valued at N55-56 billion, not dollars, tell Nigerians now that things are difficult, not halfway when the football has started you want to change the goal post, I will not take it. My colleagues too will not take it. We want this project completed. We don’t want to terminate you again and engage another contractor. It does not go down well at all”, Mpigi warned.
The director, South-South Zone, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr Umoh Ekong, informed that the visit was to ensure that projects are executed in line with the contract terms and funds judiciously used, adding that the team has observed some delays occasioned by weather, administration due to changes in design and contract specification, but however, assured that the duty of the ministry is to ensure that the project is completed to the letter.
Ekong said they have noted all the delays and other challenges, particularly the issue of compensation which is delaying the Ikot Ekpene/Itu/Odukpani Road, adding that with the assurances of the federal lawmakers, these challenges would be surmounted and the project completed.
The controller, Federal Ministry of Works, Akwa Ibom State, Mr Okoduwa Vincent, an engineer, who welcomed the lawmakers explained that presently there are five ongoing projects in the state namely: the Eket project, which has the main alignment handled by Gitto Construction Company; the bypass project which is an extension of the East-West Road; the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway handled by Hi-Tech Construction Company; the outstanding portion of Itu/Odukpani Road handled by CCECC; and the same portion of Odukpani, the last portion being handled by Raycon Construction Company.
Vincent thanked the lawmakers for the visit and expressed optimism that these projects would be completed to the benefit of Nigerians.
At the East-West Road Bypass in Eket Section, the lawmakers gave the contractors up to November 2025 to complete all pilings and earth w
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