Edo threatens to cancel road contract over poor performance

The Edo State Assets Verification Committee has hinted at recommending the revocation of a road contract awarded to Nosba Nigeria Limited, citing alleged abandonment of the project.

Nosba was awarded a contract for the construction of a 5.52-kilometre road at Upper Ekenwa Road for N8 billion, with N2 billion already disbursed as a mobilization fee.

However, the Chairman of the Physical Assets and Infrastructure Subcommittee, Patrick Obahiagbon, expressed dissatisfaction during an inspection tour on Sunday, describing the contractor’s performance as “zero percent.”

Obahiagbon, alongside committee members Kassim Afegbua, Abass Braimah, Kenny Okojie, and Frederick Unopah, criticized the contractor’s lack of progress.

He noted that the subcommittee would recommend to the main committee that the contract be revoked.

“The works so far done by the contractor is zero percent. We intend to persuade the full house of the committee that the contract awarded to the construction company be recommended to the state government for revocation,” Obahiagbon stated.

The committee also raised concerns about the slow pace of work by Stefanutti Stocks Wapel Limited, which is handling the 9.9-kilometre Owina-Evbuotubu-Children Medical-Erunmwunse-Okpe road project.

The contract, valued at N19 billion, includes the construction of roads and stormwater drainage across Oredo and Egor Local Government Areas.
Despite receiving a mobilization fee of N5 billion—representing 25 percent of the contract value—the contractor has reportedly completed only 12 percent of the work.

Obahiagbon described the progress as unsatisfactory.

He said, “From the documents provided by the Ministry of Works, what we are seeing here is about 12 percent of work done.

“This is far below the 25 percent for which the contractor was mobilized. The contractor must ensure that the quantum of work aligns with the mobilization fee paid before they can request further funding.”

The committee also indicated plans to verify the project’s actual scope.

“We will revisit this project to confirm if the 9.9-kilometre measurement quoted in the contract is accurate. It is our responsibility to ensure that Edo State is not shortchanged in any way,” Obahiagbon added.

The committee similarly expressed dissatisfaction with Raycon Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling the Benin-Abraka Road reconstruction project.

Despite the project being incomplete, potholes were already visible on the road. The committee directed the contractor to address these issues before proceeding on a Christmas break.

The committee’s inspection underscores its commitment to ensuring accountability and quality in the execution of public infrastructure projects across Edo State.