Ekiti Revokes N3.2bn Road Project Over Construction Company’s Incompetence

The contract for the rehabilitation of Ayede-Ikun-Otun Ekiti road valued at #3.2 billion has been revoked by the Ekiti State Government from a construction company handling the project.

The state government had awarded the project to Sharvet Nigeria Limited in January, 2020. but the company failed to commence the project as agreed in the terms of agreement.

The Information Commissioner, Muyiwa Olumilua, while speaking after the state executive meeting in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday stated that the state government revoked the project due to the gross incompetence exhibited by the construction firm.

Olumilua, however, noted that the contractor will not be prosecuted, having willingly complied with the revocation order and surrendered the project for re-award.

Olumilua said the council approved the revocation and reaward of the project to another company deemed as having the human and material resources to prosecute the job before the rainy season.

“We have a policy under Governor Kayode Fayemi led government, when we award contract, we expect the contractor to first mobilise to site and display capacity before financial mobilisation by government. That has been the standard.”

“We awarded four road contracts at the same time in January. But unfortunately, Sharvet Nigeria Limited refused to mobilise to site and begin work while the three others are already working as agreed.”

“Anytime we award contracts, we believe we are dealing with a contractor that has the competence and once this is lacking and we don’t want our people to suffer due to deplorable road conditions, it has to be revoked, which we did in the interest of our people.”

He further stated that the state government also approved a sum of #322.76 million for the rehabilitation of Igbara Odo- Ibuji road, which includes patching of damaged portions of the road and other works.

Olumilua noted that the council also approved a sum of N100 million for the commencement of rehabilitation of township roads in Ekiti.

The commissioner the project will executed in phases and would touch virtually all the strategic 133 towns across the state.

He added that the council also approved the Regulatory Unit Strategic plan 2020-2022 that will serve as a guide for the full implementation of water supply and sanitation policy of the government.