‘Working With Property Recovery Panel Will Facilitate Contract Monitoring’

The managing director/chief executive officer of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Nuruddeen Rafindadi, has hinted that collaborating with the special presidential investigation panel on the recovery of public property would facilitate effective monitoring of the process of awarding contracts and ensure that contractors bidding for contracts have the expertise to meet with the acceptable standards.

Rafindadi disclosed this while receiving a five-man delegation from the special presidential investigation panel for recovery of public property, led by its chairman, Barr. Okoi Obono-Obla in Abuja.

The MD stated that the agency was aware of its enormous task adding that it was a privilege to partner with the panel to facilitate the work of the agency.

In his response, Okoi Obono-Obla, said that the purpose of the visit was to intimate the agency of its activities and seek for ways of collaboration since FERMA is a sole maintenance office of federal roads in the country.

He listed the activities of the panel as investigation of public officers that were involved in corrupt practices, investigation of public officers that had not declared their assets according to the provisions of the constitution and investigation of individuals/private companies who had contributed adversely to the development of the country and among others.

The chairman commended FERMA for its recent intervention in rehabilitating federal roads across the nation and empowering the youths through its direct labour works.

The panel was constituted by vice president, Yemi Osinbajo during his tenure as the acting president in August 2017, in accordance with the law known as recovery of public property (Special Provisions Act) which is one of the oldest anti-corruption legislation in the country.

He had noted that the intent of the law was to fight corruption, improve transparency and accountability in public offices. 

The panel however presented an award to Rafindadi for his commitment towards public service and in support of the fight against corruption.