By Musa Idahosa
BENIN CITY– The Edo State Assets Verification Committee, said it has uncovered how the contract sum for a 17.5 km Benin-Abraka road project, Phase 1C was inflated from N8 billion to N16 billion within one year under the immediate past administration in the state
It would be recalled that the road project was awarded by the immediate past in Edo to Nsik Engineering Company Limited on May 16, 2023, as work commenced in September 2023.
Following his election victory and subsequent inauguration, the Governor of the state, Senator Monday Okpebholo set up Assets Verification Committee, with the task to carry out audit on all ongoing projects in the state, including budgetary provisions and contractors handling the projects
However, the Committee said that the inflation in the contract sum was uncovered during its tour of all ongoing projects in the state by the six-member sub-committee on Physical Assets and Infrastructure led by Patrick Obahiagbon on Thursday in Benin.
Briefing the committee during the site visit, the project manager of Nsik Engineering, Engr. Ifiokebong Ekong, said that the company received an initial mobilization fee of N2.9 billion, representing 25 percent of the original contract sum of N8 billion.
Ekong, however, disclosed that the contract sum was subsequently varied from N8billion to N12billion and further to N16 billion.
He noted that the completion period, originally set at three and a half years, was revised downward to 18 months, while the project cost saw a staggering hike.
Responding, Chairman of the sub-committee, Patrick Obahiagbon, described the development as troubling, aligning it with allegations raised in a petition received from citizens of Edo State.
“The explanation by the project manager corroborates the content of the petition, which alleged that the contract was inflated to fund the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
“It is nonsensical and unfair that within one year, a road contract sum would jump from N8 billion to N12 billion, and then to N16 billion just months before the election,” Obahiagbon stated.
He further called for a thorough investigation, urging the main committee to recommend appropriate actions to the state government.
According to him, If the petitioners are correct, this is an unfair deal to the people of Edo State. This sad development must be investigated to ensure accountability.
Also reacting to the development, member of the subcommittee, Engr. Abass Braimah, expressed outrage at the development, describing the 100 percent increment as a sad development.
“I don’t think there is anywhere in Nigeria, or even outside this subnational context, where a project can be awarded for N8 billion, reviewed to N12 billion, and later reviewed to N16 billion within a year.
“What substantially changed to warrant a 100 percent increment when the job specification or contents remained the same, Braimah queried.
He further criticised the process, noting that the variations were approved despite passing through the tenders board.
“After awarding the contract at N8 billion, they reviewed it by 50 percent, adding N4 billion to make it N12 billion, and later increased it to N16 billion. What type of games are we playing here, ”he lamented.
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