By: Felix Ikpotor
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has given marching orders to Raffoul Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling the 6.5 kilometers Woji-Aleto-Alesa-Refinary link road project a one month ultimatum to deliver the road or have the contract revoked
The governor gave the directive following his inspection of the project Friday morning. He expressed disappointment at the delay, stating that the handover note he received after the state of emergency was lifted showed that the then Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas cancelled the contract.
He said from his own evaluation, after earlier giving Raffoul Nigeria Limited two successive variations to enable the contractor make meaningful progress, the result has been disappointing and he is tempted to affirm the cancellation of the contract declared by the sole administrator.
“I feel highly disappointed with the level of performance of this contractor Raffoul. This project was awarded in June 2020 by my predecessor and he managed the project.
”When I came in, I went as far as giving variations twice to enable them (the contractor) achieve good proportion of this job. To my greatest surprise, there is no time you seat with them to discuss that you come out with anything substantial.
”I was briefed in the handover note (from the Administrator) that this particular project, while the emergency rule was on, was evaluated and he cancelled it. If they can’t complete this job in the next one month, I will cancel the contract, honestly speaking,” Fubara threatened.
While on the project inspection, the governor who observed indiscriminate dredging activities on the Woji River, wondered why anyone would embark on such business posing a threat to the environment.
”How could a normal human being be dredging very close to the bridge, is it proper? If I destroy the dredging machine they will say Fubara is a very wicked man.
”This is the last warning. If I come here or get any information that dredging activities are still being conducted around this area, moreover close to this bridge, I will take a drastic measure, ” Fubara warned.
The 6.5 Km Woji-Aleto-Alesa-Refinary link road includes a 200 meter bridge which is to serve as an alternative route to the ever-busy Eleme section of the East-West road.
