The Imo state Governor, Hope Uzodimma has expressed dismay over the unseriousness displayed by contractors handling some of the road projects in the state.
The governor who went an on-the-spot assessment of some of the on-going road projects awarded by the previous administration, lamented that despite giving 72 hours ultimatum to contractors who left their sites to return or risk the contracts terminated, and the mobilization fees paid to them refunded, some of them are yet to return.
While inspecting the Assumpta/Port Harcourt Road, Governor Uzodinma ordered the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Works to re-award the road project since the contractor handling the road has not shown commitment to the project.
In a statement released on Monday by Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Oguwike Nwachuku, the governor once more warned contractors handling road projects in the state to return to site and start serious work or risk losing their contracts.
He said “It is clear to me that some of these contractors are either not capable or up to something. Sooner than later, the rains will start and the roads are still lying like that. I am beginning to see them as sabotaging my government”.
On the way forward, Governor Uzodimma added: “I am going to set up a task force that will revisit all these roads to determine the contractors that are serious and the ones that are not serious. We will terminate the contracts of the unserious ones and re-award them to serious contractors.”
Expressing dismay over the lackadaisical attitude of the contractor handling Assumpta Roundabout/Port Harcourt Road axis, Governor Uzodimma pointed out that the Assumpta Road is a critical road to the state because of its economic importance. “It has been closed for months without corresponding work going on there; this must not be left to continue”.
He directed the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works to terminate the contract and re-award it to a more serious contractor who can fix the road before the raining season starts.
