Gov. Bello gives contractors last warning on road completion

The Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello, on Tuesday sent a strong warning to contractors handling projects across the state that henceforth no amount of excuses for the delay in execution of projects will be acceptable’.
Bello also directed the state Ministry of Works and Infrastructural Development to ensure the quick completion of the renovation work on Minna-Bida Road.
He also said the Ministry should meet with the contractor handling the maintenance of Minna-Suleja Road with a view to see palliative measures that can be applied to relieve motorists of challenges on the about 120km road.
Bello handed down the warning when he paid an unscheduled inspection to some road project sites in Bosso and Chanchaga Local Government Areas of the state.
The governor, while expressing disappointment at the pace of work on the 10km Tagwai Dam Road in Tungagoro, said excuses for non-performance by any contractor is not tenable.
All efforts by the contractor of the project to justify the pace of work on the road and to assure the governor of meeting the March 2017 deadline for completion proved abortive as Bello expressed doubt on the contractor meeting the deadline at the pace of its work.
The disappointed governor told the contractor: “Of all the road projects being carried out in the state, this is the only road project that is giving me concern.
“I am not happy at the level of work on this road.
“I cannot see any significant progress from the last time I paid a visit here.
“I am really concerned.
“Despite the state of the economy and dwindling resources, we make funds available for all the projects being executed.
“I will not accept any excuse from any contractor who is feet dragging in delivery.
“I will not take excuses if you will not meet deadline for project completion.
“This is dry season.
“People are being exposed to dust, especially those living along the road.
“They are exposed to health hazard.
“The dust this road creates is a threat to the health of our people, their houses get dusty, food gets contaminated by dust, goods and wares in their shops get dusty.
“We are not going to allow you expose our people to health hazards.
“Henceforth you (contractor) are to wet the entire stretch of the road with water two to three times daily.
“Get a water tanker and regularly wet the dusty road.
“We will not allow the health and source of livelihood of our people to be exposed to danger.”
Bello however expressed satisfaction at the quality of work at the Chanchaga Water Works road network, Lagos Street and the ongoing project along Brighter Schools areas.
He was also satisfied with the level and quality of work on Fadukpe-Gbeganu-White Heart Road.
Governor Bello then called on the people to protect all the infrastructural facilities being put in place by the government, assuring them of his administration’s commitment to open up more areas in the state.