Felix Igboke Ogbonna, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Project Monitoring and Evaluation, says the State Government is going tough on erring contractors, undertaken weekly arrests of contractors who breach contractual agreement and specifications.
Speaking on Friday while fielding questions from journalists in Abakaliki, Igboke said “contrary to public perception, it is not contract awardees that are being targeted unfairly, but contractors who fail to meet the terms of their agreements with the State Government.”
He explained that there is hardly a week or two without the Ministry apprehending one or two erring engineers found compromising standards at project sites. He dismissed speculations that some contractors enjoy preferential treatment, noting that arrests are not always publicised for strategic reasons.
According to him, the Ministry of Project Monitoring and Evaluation carries out deliberate and strategic supervision of contracts awarded across communities, clans and villages in the State to ensure strict compliance with approved specifications.
“The truth is, human beings are one of the most difficult people to deal with. No matter how highly placed a person is, once contractors are sent to execute a project, some engineers on site may try to cut corners. If they are not properly supervised, they will definitely do that”, he said.
He explained that Ministries such as Works or Infrastructure prepare the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME) and enter into contractual agreements with contractors. Once the documents reach his Ministry, monitoring begins strictly based on the approved Bill of Quantities and design.
“Our main job as a service-oriented Ministry is not to witch-hunt anyone or collect money from contractors. It is not to create hype. Our duty is to ensure projects are executed according to specifications, in quality and within the agreed timeline,” he added.
On concerns over uncommissioned projects, Igboke said most projects initiated by the Administration of Governor had been completed and are already in use.
“As people keep saying ‘commissioning, commissioning,’ my question is: why are you using the roads if they are not commissioned? There is no completed road that has been blocked from public use pending commissioning”, he said.
He noted that numerous projects are ready for inauguration, expressing optimism that once the governor begins inauguration, the exercise would continue extensively.
“I can assure you that once the governor starts commissioning projects, it will continue even beyond the election period. He prefers being in the field, moving from one local government to another. I can confidently say he has delivered and even surpassed his promises to Ebonyians. I urge the people to remain calm”, he noted.
