The Nation Newspaper

Tag: contractors

  • Lagos warns contractors

    The Lagos State government has warned contractors to complete the 16 projects assigned to them on schedule without compromising standard.

    The projects cut across the education, housing, health, judiciary and tourism sectors.

    Some of the projects include: science and technology complex; multi-storey building; magistrates’ courts in Ajegunle, Ogba, Epe, Ikeja, Badagry and Igando, as well as the Lagos arbitration centre.

    Works and Infrastructure Commissioner Obafemi Hamzat reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring that all construction activities in the state conform to acceptable international standard.

    Hamzat said the Office of Works, the unit saddled with the responsibility to enforce compliance with standard, had been mandated to monitor all ongoing rehabilitation projects.

    The commissioner said tax payers’ money was being judiciously applied by ensuring standard and preparing the state for the challenges of its status as a mega city.

    He said the government was working round the clock to ensure the completion of all projects without compromising standard before May 29.

    The Office of Works has completed the Senate Building, Students’ Union Arcade, Central Library, Faculty of Management Sciences and 3-in-1 Lecture Theatre at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo.

  • Expert frowns against usage of foreign contractors by govt

    Expert frowns against usage of foreign contractors by govt

    The immediate past Chairman, Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) Ibadan, Oyo State  chapter, Mr Olugbenga Ilori has condemned what he called the excessive usage of foreign contractors by government, which he claimed has caused degeneration to engineering profession.

    Ilori spoke while delivering a lecture entitled:” Engineering Development: The necessary tool in nation building” at the 20th Arokodare Memorial lecture in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    According to him, this step amounts to waste of government resources and retrogression of engineering development in the country.

    Ilori said:” Nigeria has no re?ason to look outward for consultants if we are to develop technologically. What magic will the Chinese perform on railway modernisation that Nigerian consultants cannot. Do?. It took the Chinese 40 years to study and develop three Gorges Dam which is now the largest dam in the world, supplying 10 per cent China’s electricity consumption. They did not call on German or Italians for help. The Nigerian, will rush to foreigners.

  • N100m for Kogi Stadium contractors

    N100m for Kogi Stadium contractors

    The Kogi State government has released the sum of one hundred million Naira (N100m) to its ministry of youth and sport to settle the contractors handling its Olympic-size stadium.

    The state’s commissioner for youth and sports, Attah Sule, stated this while receiving Kogi commissioner for information, Zainab Suleiman-Okino, who paid him a working visit in his office.

    Describing Kogi governor Captain Idris Wada as a generous and focused man, Sule stressed that the governor had assisted the ministry in various ways and thanked Captain Wada for giving him the opportunity to serve the state.

    Earlier, Hajia Suleiman-Okino, who said her visit was in line with the directive of the governor, said it was aimed at ascertaining the level of performance and achievements of each ministry and parastatal in the state with a view to showcasing same to the public.

    She commended commissioner Sule for his efforts and achievements within his short period in office, and called on staff of the ministry to be more dedicated to their jobs.

  • Bayelsa criticises contractors, threatens to revoke three contracts

    Bayelsa state government has begun the process of revoking contracts of three errant contractors at the ongoing new National Youth Service Corps Orientation Camp project in Kaiama, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.

    The state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructural Development, Mr. Lawrence Ehwrudjakpo, threatened to cancel the contracts after his weekly inspection of some projects in the state.

    He, however, failed to reveal the identities of the contractors.

    Ehwrudjakpo was disappointed at the slow pace and quality of work executed by the contractors and warned that the government might be compelled to revoke the contracts.

    He said: “I have directed the affected three contractors to see me urgently because we cannot continue to wait for people who don’t want to grow and do what is right.

    “If they don’t sit up, we will have no choice but to revoke the contracts and give them to people who are ready to work.”

    Ehwrudjakpo, who was satisfied with the pace of work at some of the projects, urged the contractors to ensure early completion of their projects.

    He said the administration of Governor Seriake Dickson was desirous to deliver the projects on time, to bring succour to the people of the various communities where the projects are sited.

    Reacting to the issue of blacklisting some contractors, one of the workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, assured the commissioner that they were ready to execute quality and standard job.

    The three companies were said to be the core contractors of the two-storey building of three hostel blocks in the new orientation camp.

  • Ekiti Deputy Governor to contractors: no pay for shoddy jobs

    Ekiti Deputy Governor to contractors: no pay for shoddy jobs

    Contractors handling projects for the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) will forfeit their pay if they do shoddy jobs.

    “We won’t certify any sloppy job for payment,” Deputy Governor Prof Modupe Adelabu said at the opening of a stakeholders’ meeting and a technical session organised for contractors  in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital at the weekend.

    Besides, the contractors were warned against compromising the independent monitors mandated to ensure that projects assigned to them are implemented to specification, failing which they risk prosecution

    Any SUBEB official found to have undermined the government by certifying shoddy jobs for payment will be liable, Mrs Adelabu said.

    She also spoke of government’s resolve to complete most of the on-going projects, especially those identified as Legacy Projects.

    Some of the Legacy Projects include the Civic Centre, the Oke Ayaba Government House and the State Pavillion on the New Iyin-Ekiti Road.

    She urged contractors to be thorough in the implementation of contracts even as they strive to deliver on schedule without compromising on standard.

    She restated that no official under the Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration has interest in taking any percentage of the contract sum as bribe.

    Mrs. Adelabu urged the contractors against bribing officials to overlook poorly implemented projects and advised them to report any official demanding bribe from them.

    Her words: “Use your money to do the job you handle and give us quality job. We are more interested in a quality work done to specification as we don’t want to experience any incident of building collapse in the state.”

    Two contractors, Messer Ajayi Micheal Ojo and Isaac Idowu spoke for their colleagues. They described the meeting as timely as it offered a platform for the stakeholders (SUBEB management of and contractors) to interface.

    They also raised some of their challenges, even as they thanked the government for the patronage.

    Speaking to reporters, Head of Physical Planning Unit (PPU), Mr. Kunle Ehinafe, listed some of the projects.

    According to him, they include: the construction of Crèche; six classrooms (storey building and bungalow); three classrooms without office and perimeter fencing of schools.

    Others are: the construction of four VIP toilets; renovation of blocks of classrooms, fabrication and supply of pupils’ desks and benches, procurement and supply of nursery furniture and fabrication and supply of lockers and chairs.

    He said the contract period ranges between three and six months depending on the nature of the project.

    Speaking while inspecting the ECEDC in Ikere-Ekiti, Mrs. Adelabu said the centre was one of three ultra-modern mega edifices built in the three senatorial districts by the government of  Fayemi administration to give toddlers in the stat a good educational head-start in life.

    The centres are located in Ado-Ekiti (Central), Ikere-Ekiti (South) and Ikole-Ekiti (North).

    She expressed satisfaction with the quality and level of work done so far at the centre and urged the contractors expedite action on its completion, assuring that the centre will be equipped with the state-of-the art facilities preparatory to its take-off for the 2014/2015 academic session.

    Prof. Adelabu also urged residents to take advantage of the facility by enrolling their kids as the centre was not designed for the privileged, pointing out the government remained committed to the provision of free, compulsory and qualitative education.

  • 156 contractors for trial over breach of procurement law

    156 contractors for trial over breach of procurement law

    The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) is prosecuting 156 contractors for violating the procurement law, its Director-General, Mr Emeka Ezeh, has said.

    Speaking in Abuja, he said the offences ranged from forgery to tendering of fake documents.

    He blamed officials of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) for clearing the contractors, warning that government officials who accepted incompetent contractors would be dealt with.

    “Naturally, the contractors go to various government MDAs because they are the ones that process their documents. All the government officers involved have been invited for questioning and possible prosecution. Established rules for administrative and criminal breaches will be followed in their sanctions. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) will do the investigation to establish the culpability or otherwise of the officers involved. So, depending on their findings, they will be prosecuted accordingly,” he said.

    Ezeh said breaches of the Procurement Act were often caused by ignorance and, as such, BPP had set up a training school to educate key officers of MDAs on the right procurement processes. He added that 5,000 procurement officers and stakeholders have been trained.

    “We do this because we believe that the understanding of the rules makes it easier for people to get the job done. So, after understanding the rules and if they still find a way to sidetrack them, they are on their own. But we will continue to encourage people to do the right thing,” he explained.

    Ezeh said the training was free for the MDAs, adding that the school catered to different sectors from oil and gas to agriculture. To ensure good procurement practices, MDAs, he suggested that the establishment of a department of procurement headed by a director.

    “Since MDAs began to set up departments of procurement, there has been improvement in procurement procedures. There has been so much improvement in terms of not just the saving of money but in terms of compliance,” he pointed out.

  • Contractors threaten to sue Aviation Ministry over debts

    Contractors threaten to sue Aviation Ministry over debts

    Contractors being owed billions of naira in ongoing airport remodelling projects in the country have threatened to take the Ministry of Aviation to court, the Minister of Aviation, Samuel Ortom has said.

    The minister told House of Representatives Committe on Aviation that since he took over, he had not awarded any fresh contract.

    “We have not awarded any new contract. I think there was only a capital release of N1billion  which was paid. We have not undertaken any new project and we don’t intend to embark on any new project looking at the debt profile.

    “As money comes, we will try to reduce the debt and ensure that the ongoing projects are completed.

    “We are no longer in the news because most of our projects that were going on are at a standstill and you will recall that the budget was just appropriated and so, we are waiting for that release and as soon as we have them, we should be able to mobilise the contractors to continue work especially the projects that are near completion.”

    He assured the committee that the minsitry will work in line with the template given to it to provide necessary information.

    He said:  “Since we came in, we have not been able to get money. Contractors have been on our neck, some of them are still on site and they are willing to continue. As soon as we have money, we are going to prioritise the projects. As I said, there is no way we can raise enough money to pay within this year on all those projects that are going on. Our intention is to prioritise those ones that are near-completion so that they can be completed. The ones that have not started, we want to see how we can review them at the level with us.

    “Nothing can go on except we can pay the contractors and the fund is what we lack. Right now, some people are even threatening to take us to court and we cannot push them to go back to site. For the Kaduna airport, the contractor is demanding for N250 million.”

    It might take the Ministry of Aviation 20 years to repay its N174 billion debt but it is expected to commence the repayment of the loan which was meant for the four terminals with the interest portion of N18.23billion by July, this year.

    The House committee on Aviation then described the ministry’s debt profile as ‘scary’.

    The committee during its oversight visit to the Ministry of Aviation also said the indebtedness was worrisome.

    The committee raised concern on the Chinese loan  of $500,000,000, which was secured with a moratorium of seven years. The counter funding  obtained by the Debt Management Office (DMO) is  worth $100,000,000.

    The Chairman of House Committee on Aviation, Hon. Nkiruka  Onyejeocha, demanded that the ministry submit before the end of five working days, the full document to guide the committe to do on-spot assessment ongoing projects.

    Hon. Onyejeocha said: “We are not here to witch hunt or probe anybody, if you don’t give us correct information, we will give you wrong advise, so give us right information that will move the aviation sector forward.

    “Our oversight function and the committee seeks specific information on the details of every structural change made to project and  the budget implication, details of project under construction from loans, details of all agreements by FAAN (Federal Airports of Nigeria) in the last two years, signed and unsigned, update on the hotel under construction at the Lagos airport, among other things.

    “Also, the committee will like to know whether all contracts were certified and followed due process, whether all contracts are worthy of continuation, if not why? And we will like to have details on all outstanding project components as at today.”

    The committee noted that its oversight function will place attention on outcomes and policies impact on the larger society.

    “It is expected that all information needed will be provided within five working days from the date of this meeting.

    On the debt profile, she said: “It is worrisome that you are presenting a debt profile of N174billion. One will tend to ask, how are you going to get the money and how did you incur this debt?  It is very worrisome in as much as you have said you are going to use certain strategies to repay.

    “The committee is frowning on such debt profile because we know monies have been appropriated for most of the things that you have been doing in aviation. This debt is critical and serious. We need to have details of the project and we will conduct due diligence on those projects and even those ones that you have paid, I don’t think it is right, I am not judging but It is scary to have such debt in the ministry of aviation.”

  • Erring road contractors face sanction

    The Federal Ministry of Works has threatened not to pay any of its contractors, who engages in shoddy road construction.

    The Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Umuna Ikenna, said this in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, when reacting to an allegation by Mr. Kunle Fajembola, a member of the Campaign for Democracy, who accused the government of using substandard contractors and materials.

    “The ministry has decided that any contractor, who does a shoddy job on our road sites, will no longer be paid,” he said.

    At a stakeholders’ forum in Ibadan, civil rights activists attributed the bad roads across the country to the poor work and materials by the ministry’s contractors.

    Ikenna, an engineer, however, identified factors, such as overloading, lack of rail lines and dumping of refuse in the drainage as some of the reasons the roads do not last.

    He added: “Durability of roads depends on designs. People may overload the vehicles. Those that carry cement and factory goods overload their vehicles. Loads meant for two trips are carried per trip.”

    Ikenna said this was why the Ministry of Works introduced weigh bridges at Ojota and Owode Onirin in Lagos to know the weight of loads carried by vehicles, who plied the highways.

    “There is over-dependence on road transportation. For over 16 years, there has been no rail construction, we depend on road transportation. It is recently that government is reviving the Lagos-Kano rail lines,” he said.

    Ikenna said once the rail system becomes assured, the pressure on the roads would be reduced.

    The engineer decried the attitude of Nigerians, who dump refuse inside the drainage, thereby causing erosion to wash away roads each time it rains.

    He said the increase in vehicles, which plied the roads, also contributed to road damage.

    “For instance, in 2012, over nine million vehicles were on the roads.”

    Mr. Ikenna said the major problem of road building, maintenance and rehabilitation was funding, which, according to him, had not been adequate for some time now.

    “Annually, the ministry gets between N100 billion and N102 billion to fund the building and maintenance of the highways and this has not been adequate,” he said.

    He urged public/private partnership in fixing the roads, so that there would be an agreement as when the sponsors would recoup their money.

  • ‘Sanctions for erring foreign contractors coming’

    ‘Sanctions for erring foreign contractors coming’

    The Federal Government will henceforth sanction Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) that fail to adhere to laid down rules in the nation’s oil and gas industry, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr Ernest Nwapa, has warned.

    Nwapa, who spoke on the topic: PIB: Harmonisation and Implementation for Economy Growth at a forum organised by the National Association of Energy Correspondents (NAEC), said the development became necessary to grow the industry.

    He said OEMs have requested for a five-year plan through which they intend to outline their programmes before operating in the country. He said any of the manufacturers that failed in their plans would be stopped from operating in the industry.

    Nwapa said a data base has been set up to capture the data of expatriates, adding that an Identity Card has been issued to all expatriates on board any project in Nigeria.

    He said the country has the capacity to produce many of the equipment being contracted to foreign firms, adding that it is not proper for oil and gas equipment manufacturers abroad to misuse the concession given to them. He said the country has not done well in the area of local manufacturing of equipment, lamenting that investment in the sector is seven per cent.

    According to him, priority is being given to local content development in the industry as evident by the enactment of the Local Content Act by the National Assembly.

    He said the Act has resulted in a change of mindset of operators, suppliers and vendors of equipment/facilities in the industry, arguing that anything operators do now has local content benchmark.

    He said: “The fundamental thing is to increase what we are doing in terms of materials and human resources. If we restrict oil and gas to operators, I do not think we can create jobs. We need to focus on local oil services companies for growth. Are we really a great oil producing company? No. The reason is because we do not have a kind of landmark we see in oil producing countries. By this, I mean we do not have oil rigs, marine vessels, skilled labour and fabrication yards owned by Nigerians.

    “In Nigeria, unless we continue to do what we are doing in the area of driving the local content aspirations, we would not be in the league of great oil producing nations. We should get Nigerians to own these assets, instead of allowing companies abroad to produce them for the industry.”

    He said it is not possible to stop foreign-based training, advising the country to strike a balance between local and offshore training of oil workers.

    PIB Team Leader, Engr Abiye Membere, said local participation has grown from less than 10 per cent to over 30 per cent in upstream operations aside other spin-off effects.

    Membere, who represented the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engr Andy Yakubu said more opportunities would open when the bill is passed and successfully implemented.

    He said the harmonisation and implementation of interests presented in the bill is crucial for the industry’s growth.

  • Why we patronise local contractors, by Ajimobi

    Why we patronise local contractors, by Ajimobi

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday explained why his administration patronises local contractors.

    He said it was to boost the economy, reduce capital flight to foreign countries and create jobs.

    Ajimobi spoke with reporters through his Acting Commissioner for Works and Transport, Mr. Kayode Adepoju.

    He said his administration would continue to engage local contractors, including artisans and professionals, to give all stakeholders an opportunity to contribute to the state’s growth.

    Ajimobi said big projects, including the dualisation of major roads, are awarded to local contractors, adding that the government supervises them to ensure they deliver top quality jobs.

    He said: “About 250 roads have been rehabilitated, reconstructed and constructed by this administration, including six dual-carriage ways, eight bridges and over 20 culverts, and they were all done by local contractors.

    “As for the six dual-carriage ways we are building, the one in Ogbomoso is being handled by a Nigerian company. The companies that are not Nigerian are mixed. We will not fold our arms and allow them take our money back to China.

    “We are not perfect as human beings, but we want to maximise the usage of the artisans because we are concerned about them. We have told them to register with their professional associations and will engage them for our projects.”