Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed his outrage and disappointment at an unnamed contractor for abandoning the Bori internal road project despite receiving 80% payment.
The governor ordered the contractor to return to the site immediately and complete the project or face severe consequences, News About Nigeria reports.
During a visit to the project site in Bori Town, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area, on Saturday, Governor Fubara lamented the nonchalance of the contractor, stating that the project was awarded before his assumption of office, but he had made two payments totaling N4 billion, representing 80% of the project value.
The Governor said, “I paid the first N2 billion in June 2023 and another N2 billion in December 2023. So, I am surprised that someone will say we are not interested in completing this project, which is in my Senatorial District.”
Fubara expressed concern that after the payments were made, the contractor refused to mobilize men and equipment to the site.
He also mentioned an incident where the contractor sacked his front desk officer for receiving a letter from the Ministry of Works demanding an update on the project.
The Governor stated, “I came here today to inspect the Bori internal roads under construction. Honestly, my main reason for coming is because we received a disturbing propaganda that we deliberately abandoned the continuation of the Bori Internal Roads project. Maybe, the persons have political reasons.”
Governor Fubara assured the residents, who came out in large numbers to cheer him, that the road would be completed to ease their movement.
He said, “I can assure you that this road project will be completed. You are my people, and there is no way I can abandon a project designed to serve my people and give them a sense of belonging. So, be rest assured that this road will be completed for your use.”
This publication earlier reported that the governor on Friday launched a N4 billion matching fund loan scheme in the state.
The scheme, a partnership between the Rivers State Government and the Bank of Industry (BoI), aims to provide soft loans to nano, small, and medium-scale businesses.
The launch took place at the Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt on Friday.
During the launch, loan scheme to 3,066 micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises and 100 companies in the state were disbursed.
