Citing contractor’s incompetence, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, has terminated a road contract in Aguata Local Government Area.
Soludo, who paid an unscheduled visit to the road construction site on Sunday, said the company is incompetent and lacks the capacity to deliver on the job.
The road is a federal highway that leads from the governor’s community to Ekwulobia Town, both in Aguata Local Government Area.
The governor directed the project manager at the project site to, “Just take off all these things (equipment) because this contract has been terminated. I just called the commissioner for works and I have told him that this contract has been terminated.
“See what you are doing. I have terminated the contract, and you are supposed to return the money you were paid. Useless company! We gave you this contract on the basis that you are an indigenous company, but see what you are doing. This is what we see. You blocked the entire highway, and nobody can pass by. Now, I am going to my hometown, how do I go? This is a federal highway.
“For months, you blocked the road, even for people to pass through the other highway, you blocked the road.
“This job was supposed to have been finished in October, and that was the contract you were given. Other companies that were given the same contracts like you have all delivered.”
The governor refused to accept the project manager’s explanation that the road had peculiarities which he said made it difficult to deliver at the appropriate time.
“There are other very difficult terrain, and the contractors have delivered. I have terminated the contract and there is nothing you can tell me about it. Take off all your equipment from this place and move out because another person is coming to take over the job. If you continue, it is at your own risk because we are not paying you a dime, instead, we are asking for a refund,” the governor stated.
