Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Anambra State Branch has lauded Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s decision to terminate a road contract following delays in the execution of the project.
Soludo reportedly terminated the 2.17km Niger Street Road, Fegge, with a 1.1km flood control channel contract when he paid an unscheduled inspection visit to the project site.
CLO commended Soludo for paying impromptu visits to some ongoing projects in the state for on the spot assessment and verification of true situation and to see things for himself, get feedback from citizens to ensure improved service delivery and sustainable development.
In a statement tagged “Public Funds Must Be Used For Public Good” signed by Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, Chairman; and Comrade Chidi Mbah, Secretary, respectively, the CLO described the action as a step in the right direction and a welcome development that would certainly accelerate savings and prudent management of meagre resources of the state and ensure the well-being and interest of the citizens.
CLO had previously lamented the poor execution of Niger Street and some road projects in the state.
“To the glory of God His Excellency out of his patriotism and interest for the welfare of the citizens visited the site and discovered negligence, lack of capacity, not keeping to the timeline and strict adherence to the agreement reached on the part of the contractor, before the contract was awarded to TEC Engineering LTD, terminated the contract.
“We thank him for his courage, political will and capacity to do the needful to ensure in words and actions that Anambra people’s money must be judiciously used for public good.
“You have rekindled people’s confidence, trust and hope in your administration as termination of the contract is a clear indication that the contract was transparently and prudently awarded.
“This will also signal to other contractors that it is no longer business as usual as public funds must be used for public good.
“It is pertinent for the Governor to sustain such impromptu visits to other Government contracts, Agencies, schools, markets, hospitals and parks in other to see true pathetic and despicable situation of things in the state.
“In order to sustain the urgent transformation and reformation of the state, Gov. Soludo should urgently establish Projects Implementations Monitoring and Verification Committee that will be made up of people with impeccable character and integrity that will give him honest feedback and citizens’ expectations, not those who will tell him what he wants to hear but what he needs to know and do.
“This your action has demonstrated your great disdain for kickbacks having kicked out unprepared and under-performing contractor,” CLO submitted.
