Reps Query Contractors Over Abandoned N4.2bn Acquisition Centre

House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta ministry, has queried the contractors handling the N4.2 billion skills acquisition center at Iwuo Achang, Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

The chairman of the committee, Hon. Eugene Dibiagwu issued the query at the investigative hearing on the abandoned Skill Acquisition Center at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

Dibiagwu said the lack of commitment by the contractors had made them part of the problem Nigeria is facing over abandoned projects.

The lawmaker said, it was ridiculous that the project was yet to be completed after being paid 85 percent of the contract sum.

“As a contractor that has been paid up to 85 percent, you were supposed to have completed that project; you know the reason why you have not; we will not allow the project to die that way.

“We understand the situation we found ourselves in in the country economically regarding the cost of materials. We will engage the ministry of Niger Delta so that they will know whether to consider further valuation for your request for additional money.”

He expressed shock that part of the fence built by the contractors had broken, saying the committee would unravel whether the fence the contractor built that fell was their fault or of a natural cause.

Dibiagwu, however, charged the contractor to do everything possible to complete the project, adding that the committee would not join issues with the contractor until the project was completed.

The committee said that if the skill acquisition center must work with all the necessary facilities to make it functional, it would require an additional N2 billion from the N4.2 billion earlier quoted for the project.

“We are looking at an additional 2 billion naira, which will bring the total project to 6.2 billion naira, having committed 4 2 billion naira initially. And even if we commit 6.2 billion naira, the center will not still work considering what is left to be done. That center cannot train one person even with 6.2 billion naira.

The House had in November last year adopted a motion on the “Need to Complete the Construction of the Skill Acquisition Center at Iwuo Achang, Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.”

It urged the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to ensure completion of the project within the 2024 fiscal year and mandated the Committee on Niger Delta Ministry to ensure compliance.

The contractors who appeared before the committee include Stegis International Agency Nigeria Ltd., a civil construction building, and Enarosol Nigeria Ltd., a landscaping and perimeter fencing company as well as Y. S. Associates, Electrical and Mechanical Works.

The contractors who made unsuccessful attempts to defend their actions, were requested to appear with copies of the contract agreement, interim performance certificates, and any other relevant documents relating to the project.