The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Contractor

  • Contractor faces N39.7m theft charge

    A building contractor, Dehinbo Olatunji, who allegedly obtained N39,730,000 under false pretence, was yesterday brought before an Igbosere Chief Magistrates’ Court.

    Olatunji, 38, was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Folashade Botoku on a two-count charge of obtaining and stealing.

    Prosecuting Inspector Haruna Ibrahim alleged that the defendant committed the offence last June at Wasimi, Maryland, in Lagos.

    Ibrahim said Olatunji obtained N39,730,000 from Emmanuel Sunday, who deposited it in the defendant’s Zenith Bank account bearing the name ‘Dehinbo Anthony Olatunji.’

    Read also: My vision for healthcare delivery, by Ohuabunwa

    The court heard that the defendant collected the cash following an agreement to complete Sunday’s building in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, but he failed to do so.

    The prosecutor said the offence contravened sections 314 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Olatunji pleaded not guilty.

    Chief Magistrate Botoku granted him N1million bail with two sureties in the like sum, among other conditions.

    The case continues on February 14.

     

  • How we deployed technology to save Ijora bridge, by contractor

    But for advanced technology deployed in the renovation of the Ijora Seven-Up Bridge, the structure would have been lost, Hallekem Limited Chief Executive Officer Haim Halle has said.

    Hallekem is the contractor that handled the project.

    According to the Israeli firm boss, the state of the 325-metre section of the bridge before the renovation was bad. He blamed it on non maintenance of the bridge for over 35 years.

    “When we opened up the expansion joints, it was all rusty and full of water deposit dating back to several years. This is because there was no drainage constructed on the bridge to evacuate such water. Besides, the rubber in the joints were all worn out. This was why motorists felt the heavy vibration giving them the feeling that the bridge would collapse,” Halle explained.

    He said the most affected section of the bridge had to be lifted instead for repairs. The joints were fitted with rubber made by Alga of Italy.

    Besides, he said his firm also constructed drainage pipes into the bridge to ensure there was no water in the section repaired.

    “We used a four-inch pipe for the drainage. However, we also had to construct the edges specially because of the effect of heavy duty trucks on asphalt. What we did was to reinforce the edges with a 50-grade concrete whereas the bridge itself has 30 grade concrete. We also used ‘bituminous felt’ as reinforcement around the drainage; this will prevent water from logging on the bridge’s drainage path,” he said.

    Halle said the renovation had extended the life span of the bridge by about 40 years. He disclosed that instead of the official one year slated for the renovation, his firm completed the job in five months.

    Declaring the bridge open  last Friday, the Federal Controller of Works, Adedamola Kuti, said: “This is about the third bridge in Lagos that we have completed maintenance work on. Earlier, we completed that of Marine Beach. We completed Coconut Bridge and now this one. Hopefully, in a couple of months, we should be completing the Leventis Bridge,” Kuti said.

    Similarly, Kuti inspected the  failed portions of the Third Mainland Bridge. He said it was part of their deal to keep the over 25-year-old bridge in good condition.

    He said from January, renovation work would begin on the underwater piles. This would be followed by the joints.

    The controller said the repairs on the Third Mainland Bridge were being done at night to avert gridlock.

    “We work on the bridge at night when there is less traffic and only shut the section we are working on to allow cars on the other lane. We continue work till about 5:00 a.m.,’’ he said.

    Kuti listed other roads that were repaired to include the Agege Motor Road, Herbert Macaulay Way, and Alagomeji Road.

    “We want to thank Lagosians for their patience with us. This is just a necessity. The government is very responsive and trying its best under the leadership of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, who has given us the opportunity to fix all bridges in Lagos,’’ he said.

    Dvirh Hirsch, Project Manager, Reynolds Construction Company Limited, said heavy vehicular movement coupled with reckless driving affected construction works on the Third Mainland Bridge.

  • Contractor ‘defiles’ neighbour’s daughter

    An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court yesterday remanded a 42-year-old building contractor, Isaac Yakubu, in Kirikiri Prison following his arraignment for allegedly defiling his neighbour’s 11-year-old daughter.

    Chief Magistrate P. E. Nwaka said Yakubu should remain behind bars, pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    Yakubu, who lives at 4, Mustapha Adeleke Street, Abule -Odu, Egbeda, allegedlly committed the offence on July 18 at his residence.

    Prosecuting police officer Christopher John said the victim lost her money when she was sent on an errand.

    “When the girl was crying to the house, the accused who lives in the same compound, gave her N200 and lured her to a nearby uncompleted building where he defiled her

    “The girl cried as she went home and told her mother what happened.

    “The case was reported to the police and the accused was arrested,” he told the court.

    The offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The case continues on September 9.

  • Senator urges contractor to complete Port Harcourt airport

    The lawmaker representing Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator Andrew Uchendu, has urged the contractor handling the remodelling of the domestic terminal of the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Rivers State, to accelerate the pace of work.

    He made the call in Port Harcourt, during a visit to the airport to inspect ongoing projects and state of the facilities.

    Uchendu said: ”I am impressed by the level of construction work at the new Port Harcourt International Airport terminal. I must give kudos to the Minister for Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and his team, for a job well done.

    “I am, however, not impressed by the slow pace of the contractor handling the remodelling of the domestic terminal of the airport. Hence, I am demanding acceleration of work.

    “The reconstruction of the local wing of the airport was awarded when I was a member of the House of Representatives. It is unfortunate that since then, the project has not been completed. As the senator representing the area where this airport is domiciled, I am concerned. That is why I came to assess things by myself.

    “Nigerians and Rivers people are not happy with the progress of work being done at the airport. It is in the interest of everybody to ensure that the work is completed and very soon too.

    “As the Senator representing this senatorial district, I will try and reach out to the authorities in charge to find out what the problems are. If it is a problem of funding or a budget-related issue, then there are certain things that some of us can do. So that by October or November, the local wing can be completed. If the problem is from the contractor, then I will report him to the Minister for Transportation and his team. So that they can take necessary action that will accelerate the pace of work. All we want is progress.”

    The representative of Rivers East senatorial district also decried the very poor record, in terms of employment in the airport of members of the host communities.

    He said: “I am not satisfied with what has been done to the host communities (of the airport), in terms of employment. If since 1975, Omagwa and Ipo communities can boast of only one senior staff member in the employ of the airport, and then it is indeed a very poor record.

    “We must change the narrative. We must see to it that improvements are made. My people must be represented at all levels. The Federal Government’s policy on catchment area must be complied with fully.”

    Uchendu also stated that as part of its corporate social responsibility, the management of the Port Harcourt International Airport should provide town halls and markets for the host communities, as well as power supply by connecting them to the national grid.

  • Contractor gets 15 months to deliver Oshodi-Airport road

    Contractor gets 15 months to deliver Oshodi-Airport road

    •Work begins on repair of 10-lane expressway

    The Lagos State government yesterday kick-started the reconstruction of Oshodi International Airport Road, with a pledge to complete the project in 15 months.

    Last month, at the quarterly town hall meeting at Badore in Ajah, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, announced that the reconstruction of the road  would begin this month.

    The governor said the construction would transform the road into a world-class highway.

    The design includes the reconstruction and expansion of the carriage to three-lanes on both directions with two-lane service road in both directions.

    The road also has a ramp bridge to provide a U-turn from Ajao Estate to the airport, the construction of a flyover at NAHCO/Toll Gate and drainage works.

    Others include removal of existing pedestrian bridge at Ajao Estate and construction of pedestrian bridges at Ajao Estate and NAHCO/Hajj Camp.

    It also include the construction of a slip road to provide access to Ajao Estate, construction of lay-bys and installation of street lights.

    At the kick-off, Waterfront Infrastructure Development Commissioner Adebowale Akinsanya said the commencement of the project was in line with the commitment of the Ambode administration to transform the axis, being the major gateway to the nation’s commercial nerve centre.

    He said the state government undertook the reconstruction of the road, being one of the busiest in the state with traffic averaging 50,000 vehicles daily.

    The commissioner noted that its poor state was not acceptable to the status of the state as the fifth largest economy in Africa and the nation’s commercial hub.

    Akinsanya said some of the fences on the corridor was identified to be in the right-of-way.

    The commissioner said the government would minimise the impact of the project on property owners.

    He noted that to properly carry people along, a stakeholders’ meeting will hold on Thursday where residents could ask questions.

    Akinsanya said to fast-track the project, three groups of workers would handle the project, working day and night.

    On completion, the commissioner said, the project would be linked to Oworonshoki reclamation project, which is also ongoing and is aimed at transforming the corridor to a major entertainment and tourism hub.

    He urged residents and motorists to cooperate with the government while construction lasts, adding that the intention is to transform the area.

    Akinsanya said: “There will be minor inconveniences, but we are going to try to mitigate the impact. The work will be accelerated. The project is to make life easier for everybody. We just want to appeal to people to cooperate with us. We will be here to talk to the people in case of any issue, and we are also working with our partner, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).”

  • Lawmaker threatens to take contractor to EFCC

    A member of the House of Representatives representing Aba North/Aba South, Ossy Prestige has threatened to take the contractor handling a road construction project in his constituency to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) if he fails to work according to specifications.

    Speaking to newsmen, the lawmaker said his constituents were complaining about the contractor’s shoddy job. Prestige, who inspired the reconstruction of Garden Avenue off Okigwe Road, said the contractor Emmanuel Eme of Eme Technical Construction Company, said the job must be done according to specifications.

    He said, “I know how much that road was awarded to the contractor and if he fails to work according specifications, I will not spare him; I will personally petition him to the EFCC, so, he should not try to do anything funny”.

    Prestige said his constituents suffered immensely over the years as a result of bad roads and stated that he would not take it kindly if any contractor fails to execute it to the satisfaction of the people.

    A resident of the area, Chief Godswill Uche Nwanoruo said they were not satisfied with what the contractor was doing which was why they raised the alarm and spoke to Hon Prestige.

    “This Garden Avenue is a busy road; to me, in present-day technology; you cannot be laying asphalt directly on red mud. I complained to the contractor and also complained to the engineer who said he is a supervising engineer from Anambra/Imo River Basin and they said there will be no problem and that they are using the best technology.

    “I said no, because I know the type of construction job that is being done in Abia State today especially in Aba. Look at what Setraco is doing, if you go to Onwuka Nails Road and see what the contractor from NDDC is doing, you will know this one is not getting it right, that he is doing a shoddy job”, Nwanoruo lamented.

    He insisted that the contractor must do the right thing and that if he fails, they will support their representative in the House of Reps to pursue the matter to its logical conclusion and ensure the right thing was done.

  • Benue roads: There’s plot to disturb contractor, says Wike

    Benue roads: There’s plot to disturb contractor, says Wike

    A PLOT to disturb the contractor hired by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike to reconstruct two roads in Benue State may have been uncovered.

    The Rivers State governor yesterday raised the alarm over the plot to scuttle the multi-billion project.

    On Sunday, Wike said he decided to reconstruct the Makurdi-Naka-Adoka and the Aliade-Oju-Obarike-Ito-Otukpo roads in Benue State, as his contribution to alleviate the suffering of people of the state. He put the project cost at N4 billion.

    Speaking yesterday, Wike alleged that some elements in the Benue State were planning to disturb contractor he had mobilised to the sites.

    He said: “We have mobilised the contractor to site, to reconstruct the two roads in Benue. But information reaching us indicate that there is plan to disturb the work. We want to get the road done as quickly as possible, but the plan to disturb the contractor is giving us some worries.

    “Those who are planning this should bear in mind that they are working against development. The people of Benue, who use these roads, are suffering and we want to bring an end to this by reconstructing the roads. Those against the job should not be enemies of progress.”

    According to him, the recent protest of pensioners in the state confirmed his earlier claim that the welfare of the people in Benue State has not received adequate attention from the government.

    “You must have heard that pensioners protested in Benue. They protested because they are being owed pension arrears. I have been vindicated. The Benue State government has failed in its duties,” he said.

    Wike’s call for the imposition of a state of emergency in Benue State over what he described as the state government’s show of incapability in handling security matters drew the ire of his Benue counterpart, Samuel Ortom.

    He also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe Ortom over the use of Paris Club refund allocation.

    On the Paris Club refunds, the governor said despite the amount of money disbursed to Benue, the state government has not done much for the people.

    Wike said Benue people are suffering “because they don’t have dividends of democracy.”

    He said it was because of the concern for the suffering of the Benue people and respect as well as value he has for elder statesmen from the state that he has elected to reconstruct Makurdi-Naka-Adoka road and Aliade-Oju-Obarike-Ito-Otukpo road in Benue State.

    “I sympathise with the suffering of Benue people. I value and respect the likes JS Tarka, Apar Aku, George Akume, Victor Malu and David Mark, all prominent indigenes of the state. That’s why I am financing the reconstruction of the roads. I think there is need for a probe of the finances of the state,” he said.

    Replying Wike last week, Ortom said his Rivers counterpart should ask for a state of emergency in his state first, before talking about Benue.

    Ortom, in an interview with reporters, said: “If Wike wants state of emergency, he should first ask for it in Rivers. Leaders should be careful what they say.”

  • Contractor accuses police of brutality

    Contractor accuses police of brutality

    A Contractor, Jide Fowotade, has accused the police of knocking out two of his teeth during an assault in Ketu, Lagos. The incident was said to have happened, barely 48 hours after a community leader Musbau Agbodemun, claimed that he was brutalised by Special Anti-Robbery Sqaud (SARS), Ikeja, operatives.
    Fowotade, was said to have been beaten up by two policemen who accused him of attempting to knock them down with his vehicle.
    The policemen allegedly removed two of his teeth before dragging him to their station.
    The bike riding policemen were said to have accused him of attempting to run them over when he abruptly applied the brakes to avoid hitting a tricycle that veered off its lane.
    One of them identified as Ayo was said to have head-butted the contractor, removing his front teeth.
    A relative who refused to be named said: “My uncle was returning home after picking up his wife from her shop when the incident happened. His wife was in the car with him. As he was driving, he noticed a tricyclist running towards him and immediately applied the brakes to avoid an accident.
    “A motorcycle with two policemen was beside his vehicle but wasn’t affected. They came down to attack him that he wanted to injure them but my uncle explained to them that the tricycle was the reason why he had to apply the brakes abruptly.
    “One of the policemen named Ayo knocked him with his head, which made two of his front teeth to fall off immediately. He was beaten up in the presence of his wife and was dragged inside the police station. “He has been subjected to severe pain since the incident. I’ll like the police authority to investigate and get us justice.”
    Last Thursday, Agbodemun was allegedly brutalised for exposing an operative who demanded money for the bail of some arrested persons.
    He claimed that he was stripped naked at the SARS office and beaten, adding that his attackers took photographs of the act and also recorded it.
    Agbodemun said: “They pounced on me and asked why I exposed them. They said since I was a vigilante member, why did I go to press? After beating me, they released the other four detainees to me. Those who tortured me are Supol Biola, Babalawo and nine others. They tore my trousers, removed my local charm.”
    Contacted, Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni urged the victims to lodge complaint.

  • Heartless contractor

    In July, following the release of alarming statistics by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) indicating that nearly 250,000 children were suffering from “severe acute malnutrition” in Borno State as a result of Boko Haram’s terrorism, it was expected that by October the number of those needing assistance would have increased.

    Appropriately, in response to the chilling news, the Federal Government declared a nutrition emergency in the state, and Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewale was quoted as saying that “more children might die if we don’t do something quickly.” The conflict triggered by terrorism in the country’s north-eastern region is said to have displaced 2.4 million people since 2009, and has stretched food insecurity and malnutrition to emergency levels. Over half a million people reportedly require immediate food assistance, and the majority of them are either displaced by the conflict or members of the communities hosting the displaced.

    So it is disturbing that an October 30 report said Senate Leader Ali Ndume was disturbed by alleged diversion of grains meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Northeast. Ndume made the troubling allegations in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, while delivering grains for IDPs supplied by the Federal Government.

    Ndume said 31 trucks of grains were missing out of the 300 approved by President Muhammadu Buhari in April.  His words: “I am passionate about the issue of the missing 31 trucks of grains because I am an Internally Displaced Person (IDP) myself. After being given the trust to transport the grains, somebody went and diverted it; I am assuring you that the EFCC is doing its job on the matter.” Ndume added: “When we dug up we found it was a cartel, a syndicate or at best a group of thieves doing this to us; there was a great connivance and heads will roll.”

    What makes this alleged stealing of foodstuff meant for hunger-stricken IDPs more terrible and more terrifying is that Ndume further alleged that it also happened when former President Goodluck Jonathan was in power. He said: “There is a second phase of the case coming up because they also stole our grains during the regime of President Goodluck Jonathan; I am going to follow it up too. Jonathan ordered the release of 600 trucks and they stole more than 100 trucks out of it… I will follow it up because it is the same contractor.”

    Who is this corrupt contractor, and why has the said contractor not been arrested and arraigned? Talking about it is not enough. Those who should do something about the heartless contractor should swing into action.

  • Contractor tackles firm over N8.5m debt

    Contractor tackles firm over N8.5m debt

    As the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Philipino International Services, Phillip Ajero, being owed by SLOK Marine/Shipping Nigeria Limited? Ajero runs Philipino, a firm based in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. According to him, his firm in 2008 entered into agreement with SLOK Marine to supply food items and offshore oil valued at N8. 515 million to their offshore vessels. The job was allegedly executed and confirmed by the company, but payment was not made.

    According to Ajero, while the debt lingered, the SLOK reportedly  terminated the contract without informing him or paying the outstanding debt and awarded the contract nto another person.

    He said efforts to recover the amount from the company  have failed. Not even legal intervention by way of court judgment he got against the company in 2013, that by the Chairman of the Company, Orji Uzor Kalu, and that of the former Governor of Abia state and Hon. Marcus Kalu, the former Chief of staff Abia State Government House, have been able to get the money released, instead what he has continued to receive from the company and their associates including the Police are barrage of attacks and threat to his.

    Speaking during a visit to the zonal office of The Nation  in Port Harcourt, he presented a petition by his lawyers, E.E. Amadi Esq. and Tonye G. Wokoma Esq. of Ebere Amadi and Co. and G. O Tamuno and Co. It was addressed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), who directed Zone six Calabar to investigate through the state commissioner of Police.

    Part of the petitions to the IGP by Barr. Wokoma reads: “Sir, kindly recall that our client (Ajero), reportedly a matter to the state CID, Port Harcourt for which the suspects Eze Sahara, Ike, Joe, the Purchasing Manager of SLOK company were invited and arrested. Shortly after their release, they inflicted another attack on our client on November 10, 2014.

    “Our client returned to the State CID in Port Harcourt and reported same. While the Police were in search for them, officers from zone 6, calabar came to arrest our client on December 4, 2014 on account of the suspects’ complain against our client giving false information to the Police.

    “He was however released after one week, since then, his life has come under the unabated calls of threat and intimidation from officers in zone 6, calabar.”

    He called on acting IGP Ibrahim Idris Kpotum and the AIG Zone six Calabar, Abubakar Mafara Idris and the  Commissioner of Police, Francis Bolaji Odesanya to invoke his files, get the suspects re-arrested, including Mr. Abbound, investigate the matter and prosecute them in accordance with the law and to serve as deterrent to others.

    He also called on the Chairman of SLOK Group of Companies, former Governor Kalu to prevail on the management of SLOK Marine to pay him his money in accordance with the judgement given by Hon. Justice W. A. Chechey of the Rivers state High court, on March 25, 2013, to enable him start life afresh.

    Efforts to get the company’s full reactions on the issues raised were frustrated. Several calls to the mobile telephone of the company’s Legal Adviser, Abubueze Uzo-kalu were not answered, but that was after two successful interactions.

    But the copy of the judgement delivered in the favour of the contractor by the state High court, presided over by Justice Chechey in suit number, PHC/623/2013, dated March 25, 2013 between Philip Ajero (Claimant), and SLOK NIGRIA LIMITED (Defendant), entitled Judgement Order: read, “Upon reading the affidavit of Philip Ajero, adult, male Christian, citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, of number 115  Ogbum-nu-abali road, Port Harcourt, sworn to and filed at the High Court registry, Port Harcourt on the March 25, 2013 and after hearing Mr. O. V. Frank-Briggs of the counsel for the claimant in support urging to the court to enter judgement in favour of the claimant; it is ordered as follows:

    “That judgement be and is entered in favour of the claimant in the sum of N8, 515, 000.00 (Eight million, Five hundred and Fifteen Thousand Naira.

    “That cost in favour of the claimant be fixed in the sum of N100, 0000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira).

    “That interest shall run on the judgement sum of N8, 515,000 and cost of N100, 0000 i.e N8, 615, 000.000 at the rate of 10% per annum until it is paid up.

    “Given at Port Harcourt, under the seal of the court and the hand of the Presiding Judge, this day May 21, 2013.” The document stated.

    It was signed by the Director of Litigation, Mina H.H. Jumbo (J.P).

    Uzokalu admitted knowing the contractor and the issues raised, but feigned no knowledge of the alleged attacks on his life, but promised to meet with the management and then get back to her.

    He however called back and demanded for the reporter’s e-mail address to turn in the company’s reactions, but all to no avail despite obliging him with his request. Calls and text messages to him phone thereafter were not answered or returned as at the time of filing in this report.

    The contractor said he is afraid of losing his life over a contract he did for the company with his money, but vowed to recover to his money from the company no matter what.

    He called on the IGP, AIG and the CP to prevail on the SLOK Marine to pay him his contract sum, the cost awarded to them by the court, as well as the more than three years interest accruing from the contract sum.