Senate queries Fashola over zero implementation of 11 contracts

THE Senate, yesterday, uncovered the release of N4 billion to 11 construction companies to undertake the repairs of roads without mobilizing to sites.

The Senate, which frowned at the development at the Ministry of Works, told the Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, that zero implementation of 11 road contracts awarded by the Ministry of Works was absurd and unacceptable.
Chairman of the Committee on Works, Senator Kabiru Gaya, who queried the development, asked the Ministry to go back, check and give the Senate correct information about the projects.
He said some of the construction companies got the sum of N500 million, while others got N1 billion, but failed to mobilize to sites to commence work.
Senator Gaya, who noted that it was sad for contractors not to go to site after collecting N500 million mobilisation, however, ordered the ministry to feed the committee with details of the contracts awarded in 2015 and their status at a later date.
He said: “Eleven contractors have collected mobilization fees and there is zero implementation, some collected N500 million and one of the contractors collected N1 billion.
‘’For instance, in the case of dualisation of Otukpo township road, N1 billion was paid to the contractors.
“Minister you need to check that and give us details in the next meeting. There is no point giving a contractor mobilization fee when he cannot perform.”