From Sylvester Egede
The Chairman of Ebonyi State House of Assembly Committee on Infrastructure, Hon Prince Nkemka Okoro Onumah has said the various Commendations and condemnations on the 2km road project in each of the 13 Local government areas of Ebonyi State was not out of love or hatred, but to make sure that there are positive legacies in all the activities of the State Government.
Hon. Nkemka Okoro Onuma while giving update on their field assessment of the projects, explained that when a project is being executed according to the job specifications, the project on completion will stand a test of time and the money that would have been spent on renovations, rehabilitation and maintenance will be channelled to other projects and beneficiary programmes that will make the government look responsible to the people.
He maintained that the committee is determined to ensure full realization of Governor Nwifuru’s aim of awarding 2km roads to communities in the State.
On his part, the co-chairman of the Committee, Hon Oluchukwu Ukie Ezeali who is incharge of Project Mornitoring and Evaluation, said the monitoring carried out by the joint Committee was to guarantee a better future for the state, adding that the supervision will help to ensure the execution of good and quality jobs, thereby meeting the interest of both the government and the people who are the core beneficiaries of the projects.
Other members of the Committee who spoke on their findings, Hon Barr Nwodo Aloysius Nwodo, Hon Chief Abiri Godwin Abiri, Hon Mrs Chinyere Nwogbaga, Hon Friday Ogbuewu, Hon Igu Chikezie Nwankwo, Hon Victor Nwoke, Hon Ifeanyi Nwakpu and Hon. Mrs Esther Agwu all said that the condemnation of some jobs and Commendations of others are testimonies of individual practices and implored all those that have been rebuked to turn a new leaf and do what is right and required by the terms of contract.
The recent project inspection took the House joint committee to Ohaukwu, Ebonyi and Abakaliki Local Government Areas.
At Abakaliki LGA, the Committee visited 2km road Melina, Ndumbam Okputimo Community which Igwerigwe Global Services Limited is handling and commended the level of job and quality on the one kilometers and six hundred meters (1.6km) lane track that has been completed. The Committee noted that the quality of work stood the company out and have equally shown commitment and quality job.
Also commended are Inyimegu Ezzaufu 2km road handled b Azuegu Obvu Construction Nig limited, Amachara Agbaja road handled by Resnovous consults in Izzi and Okarie 2km road in Ebonyi Local Government handled by Magmatic Rock Nigeria limited.
The story was different when the committee visited 2km road at Ehugbuwale Ndegu Okputimo Community in Abakaliki Local Government handled by Omega Golden MSL Nig Ltd Company where the Committee condemned shoddy job done at the site and ordered the Omega Golden Company to stop work immediately and remove substandard 10 meters concrete pavement done, which was described as death trap portion.
Other sites visited include Umuakpu Ngbo in Ohaukwu LGA being handled by Penticost construction Company, Ezeobaji Izziunuhu community Abakaliki LGA being handled by Capacity Ken Nigeria limited, Nsuruakpa Izzia 2km road, Ndienyim Ngelegu Edukwu Ndegu Ishieke road handled by Shedrack Resorvees Ltd in Ebonyi Local Government Area and Ndiukabi Ndiogbu road handled by Nick and Nicholas Company. At these sites, the committee decried the low and substandard jobs carried out at the sites and cautioned the contractors to live up to expectations as they ought to have the earth work and clearing including the completion of culverts and progressed into the pavement works up to 300 meters.
All members of the Committee aligned with the Chairmen of the Committees on the reasons for the commendations and condemnations and hoped that a new way will be explored in the delivery process adopted by the contractors handling these rural roads that will be of great benefits to the people.