Edo threatens to cancel road contract over poor performance
The Edo State Assets Verification Committee has suggested the potential revocation of a road contract awarded to Nosba Nigeria Limited, citing concerns over the alleged abandonment of the project.
Nosba was contracted to construct a 5.52-kilometre road at Upper Ekenwa Road for N8 billion, with N2 billion already disbursed as a mobilization fee. However, during an inspection tour on Sunday, the Chairman of the Physical Assets and Infrastructure Subcommittee, Patrick Obahiagbon, expressed dissatisfaction with the contractor’s performance, describing it as “zero percent.”
Obahiagbon, accompanied by committee members Kassim Afegbua, Abass Braimah, Kenny Okojie, and Frederick Unopah, criticised the lack of progress on the project. He indicated that the subcommittee would recommend to the main committee that the contract be revoked.
“The work completed by the contractor is zero percent. We intend to present our findings to the full committee and recommend that the state government revoke the contract awarded to the construction company,” Obahiagbon said.
The committee also raised concerns about the slow progress of Stefanutti Stocks Wapel Limited, which is handling the 9.9-kilometre Owina-Evbuotubu-Children Medical-Erunmwunse-Okpe road project. The contract, worth N19 billion, involves the construction of roads and stormwater drainage across Oredo and Egor Local Government Areas. Despite receiving a mobilization fee of N5 billion—representing 25 percent of the total contract value—the contractor has reportedly completed only 12 percent of the work. Obahiagbon deemed this progress unsatisfactory.
“According to the documents provided by the Ministry of Works, only about 12 percent of the work has been completed. This is far below the 25 percent for which the contractor was mobilized. The contractor must ensure that the amount of work completed corresponds with the mobilization fee paid before requesting further funds,” Obahiagbon stated.
The committee also expressed intentions to verify the actual scope of the project.
“We will revisit this project to confirm that the 9.9-kilometre measurement quoted in the contract is correct. It is our duty to ensure that Edo State is not shortchanged in any way,” he added.
Additionally, the committee expressed disappointment with Raycon Nigeria Limited, the contractor responsible for the Benin-Abraka Road reconstruction project. Despite the project remaining incomplete, potholes have already appeared on the road. The committee has instructed the contractor to address these issues before taking a Christmas break.
The committee’s inspection highlights its commitment to ensuring accountability and quality in the delivery of public infrastructure projects throughout Edo State.
