The Ebonyi State Government has warned local contractors handling projects in the state to ensure they deliver quality work within the given timelines or face sanctions.
The State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon Uchenna Igwe, issued the warning at Nkaleke Echara Ndebor Community of Ebonyi Local Government Area after an unscheduled inspection tour of palace project sites in the state.
The six local governments he visited include Abakaliki, Ishielu, Ezza North, Ebonyi, Izzi and Ikwo council areas.
Igwe expressed displeasure at absenteeism from project sites, deviations from project specifications, and violations of project timelines by some of the contractors.
These issues were detected at various sites, including Oshiegbe, Amuda-Amewula, Nkaleke Echara Unuphu, Nkaleke Echara Ndebor, Okpuitumo, Igbegu and Echara project sites.
He said, “I want to use this opportunity to warn all contractors handling Ebonyi State palace projects not to abuse the privilege given to them by the Ebonyi People’s Charter of Needs administration under Francis Nwifuru, who understood the stimulating impact of patronizing local content and opted to engage local contractors.
“Contractors who think they can lower the quality standards specified in the contract or refuse to deliver on time are mistaken. The administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru, which is in a hurry to address the developmental challenges of Ebonyi State and its people, will not tolerate such behavior.
“Every detail in the drawing is important and must be implemented in the construction. By now, every palace project is supposed to have been decked. Contractors who violate contract specifications and timelines risk revocation, arrest, and prosecution. Those who have abandoned their respective project sites are hereby ordered to return to site.”
He, however, thanked the contractors handling the Ogboji Ezzaegu, Amegu, Ogharugo, and Inyere palace projects for the quality and speed of their work.
The commissioner, who was accompanied on the tour by the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Chief Isaac Chukwu, and members of the Ebonyi State Local Government Advisory Committee, assured that the unscheduled project inspection tour would continue with intensity until every palace project is completed according to specifications and delivered for commissioning.