Citing purported project abandonment, the Edo State Assets Verification Committee has made a suggestion to revoke a road contract granted to Nosba Nigeria Limited. With N2 billion already paid as a mobilization fee, Nosba was given a contract for N8 billion to build a 5.52-kilometer road at Upper Ekenwa Road.
Nevertheless, during an inspection visit on Sunday, Patrick Obahiagbon, the chairman of the Physical Assets and Infrastructure Subcommittee, voiced his displeasure, calling the contractor’s performance “zero percent.” Obahiagbon chastised the contractor’s lack of progress along with committee members Kassim Afegbua, Abass Braimah, Kenny Okojie, and Frederick Unopah.
He noted that the subcommittee would recommend to the main committee that the contract be revoked.
“The works so far done by the contractor is zero percent. We intend to persuade the full house of the committee that the contract awarded to the construction company be recommended to the state government for revocation,” Obahiagbon stated.
Additionally, the committee expressed dissatisfaction with Stefanutti Stocks Wapel Limited’s sluggish progress on the 9.9-kilometer Owina-Evbuotubu-Children Medical-Erunmwunse-Okpe road project.
Roads and stormwater drainage projects throughout Oredo and Egor Local Government Areas are part of the N19 billion deal. Only 12 percent of the work has reportedly been finished by the contractor, despite receiving a mobilization fee of N5 billion, or 25% of the contract value.
Obahiagbon described the progress as unsatisfactory. He said, “From the documents provided by the Ministry of Works, what we are seeing here is about 12 percent of work done.
“This is far below the 25 percent for which the contractor was mobilized. The contractor must ensure that the quantum of work aligns with the mobilization fee paid before they can request further funding.”
The committee also indicated plans to verify the project’s actual scope.
“We will revisit this project to confirm if the 9.9-kilometre measurement quoted in the contract is accurate. It is our responsibility to ensure that Edo State is not shortchanged in any way,” Obahiagbon added.
The committee similarly expressed dissatisfaction with Raycon Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling the Benin-Abraka Road reconstruction project.
Despite the project being incomplete, potholes were already visible on the road. The committee directed the contractor to address these issues before proceeding on a Christmas break.
The committee’s inspection underscores its commitment to ensuring accountability and quality in the execution of public infrastructure projects across Edo State.
