Abandoned project: Ekiti threatens to sue firm

From Rasaq Ibrahim, Ado Ekiti

Ekiti State Government yesterday directed a construction firm, Messers Time Building and Construction Company, to return a sum of N47million to the coffers of the state on a contract awarded to it or face litigation.

Commissioner for Information, Muyiwa Olumilua, said the rehabilitation of Ilupeju-Ire road was awarded to the contractor by ex-governor Ayodele Fayose in 2016 with a mobilisation of N195.97 million without remarkable job done until the expiration of the immediate past administration’s tenure.

Olumilua, who was briefing reporters on the outcome of the weekly State Executive Council meeting, said: “The contract was awarded in October 2016 and the contractor abandoned the site, having collected a sum of N195,973,564.50.

“A refund of N47,807,873.80 by the contractor is to be sought by the Ministry of Justice as well. We have reviewed the contract and failure to make refunds will lead to litigation.”

Meanwhile, Governor Kayode Fayemi has reawarded reconstruction of Agbado-Ode- Isinbode-Omuo and rehabilitation of Ilupeju – Ire road contracts, which it revoked before now, for the sum of N5.8 billion.

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The state government had a fortnight ago revoked the N2.99billion contract for Agbado – Ode- Isinbode – Omuo Road initially awarded to Messrs Prodeals Nigeria Limited in 2014, but reawarded it at N3.47 billion.

Olumilua said the new contractor had 18 months to deliver the job.

The commissioner, who said the state government had revoked the contract for the rehabilitation of Ilupeju – Ire Road awarded to Messrs Time Building and Construction Company in October 2016, disclosed that the scope had been expanded to cover Ilupeju – Ire – Igbemo – Ijan Road and awarded to another contractor at N2.35 billion.
He said that the new contractor had 12 months to deliver the expanded project.
Olumilua said the erstwhile contractor abandoned the project after being mobilised to site with N195.9million, adding: “A refund of N47.8million by the contractor will be sought by the Ministry of Justice.”
He also disclosed that the State Executive Council approved the upward review of the contract for the rehabilitation of the Aramoko – Erinjiyan – Ikogosi Road from N1.167 billion to N1.625 billion, saying: “The road, being our tourism axis road, will be attracting a lot of traffic.”
The commissioner, who said that the exco considered the recommendations of the White Paper on the report of the Justice Jide Aladejana Chieftaincy Review Commission 2019, disclosed that details of the consideration would be made public later.