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Wike Calls For Amendment Of FG’s Procurement Law To End Project Abandonment ….As Tinubu Describes Wike As Dependable Ally
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has drawn the attention of the Federal Government to the need to amend its procurement law in order to end incessant abandonment of projects in the country.
Wike made these remarks at the inauguration of the Rumuokwuta/Rumuola Flyover (12th Flyover) on Wednesday, which was performed by the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The governor explained that the current procurement law of the Federal Government only allows for about 15/30 percent to be paid as mobilisation fee to a contractor.
Such meagre sum, he said, usually does not allow the contractor to make appreciably progress on the project before being caught up by inflation effects and high cost of materials, which eventually requires variation of the contract terms.
Wike said when he noticed a similar snag in the procurement law in Rivers State, on assumption of duties, he interfaced with the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, who worked together with other lawmakers to amend the then existing law.
He said with the amended law, his administration got the latitude to pay an upward of 70 percent mobilisation fee to contractors handling various projects in the State.
He noted that such practice has led to the great accomplishment recorded in the delivery of development projects in the State by his administration.
Wike said the Phase two of Ahoada-Omoku -Egbema road and the Emohua-Tema Junction road projects that are ongoing are at the cost of N80billion.
He explained that the payment pattern that was adopted is a monthly deduction of N4billion by the contractor from the internally generated revenue (IGR) of the State, which will last 18 months that the projects will be completed.
Commenting on the 12th flyover bridge, Wike explained that the project was among those started from 2019 till date and delivered by his administration.
He noted that some of the flyovers are on federal roads and therefore, requested the incoming administration of Tinubu to consider a possible refund to Rivers State.
This, he pointed out, will serve as a motivation to other States, which will feel more encouraged to also work on federal roads in their jurisdiction.
Inaugurating the Rumuokwuta/Rumuola Flyover, Tinubu said that his presence to perform the duties of opening the flyover for public use is another way of building bridge, most essentially for the country.
Tinubu described Wike as a dependable ally and one who promoted the unity of Nigeria and championed justice and fairness.
He noted that Wike stood his ground as a principled man and worked for the presidency to come to the South without succumbing to gossips and speculations.
“In His Excellency (Nyesom Ezenwo Wike), I see a man of principle, he took a principle stand that the presidency must return to South and he had the courage to stand by his conviction, not minding whose ox is gored. He is, indeed, a man of great integrity, he did not chose to serve his own interest. Not about him, rather the interest of the nation. You promoted unity, you promoted fairness, you championed justice. Thank you.”, he said.
Tinubu also commended Wike’s penchant for delivering quality projects to Rivers people, and for making the citizenry happy.
The president-elect said the demand for a refund on the flyover bridges so constructed on federal roads, though a worthy request, should not be borne with the mindset that the Federal Government is owing the State because the projects are within Rivers and are used by the people.
He, however, said there would be need for Wike to further discuss the issues with him and intensify his lobby to secure the refund.
The president-elect recalled that he went through gruesome campaign, fought hard, and with the likes of Wike providing structural support, he won the presidential election squarely.
“Nyesom, I say thank you for your contribution to my victory. I couldn’t have done it without some structural support”, he said.
He also congratuled the Rivers State governor-elect, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on his electoral victory.
In his description of the project, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dr. George-Kelly Dakorinama Alabo, said the Rumuokwuta/Rumuola Flyover Bridge is 1007.5 meters long, completed in eight months instead of 10 months and delivered to eliminate traffic congestion by 98 percent in the State.
According to him, the flyover is the longest of the flyovers constructed by the Wike administration and has district features because whereas the other eleven flyovers are straight, it has a parabolic curve with a curvature radios of 225 meters.
In his welcome remark, Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, George Ariolu, said the Rumuokwuta/Rumuola Flyover bridge is the 12th among similar projects that were conceived and constructed by Wike’s administration.
He noted that the 12th flyover has greatly eased vehicular traffic, boosted commerce and improved the aesthetics of the metropolis.
Some of the dignitaries present at the occasion include the wife of the Rivers State governor, Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; governors of Oyo, Jigawa, Imo and Ebonyi States, Seyi Makinde; Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar, Senator Hope Uzodinma and David Umahi, respectively.
Other are former governors of Rivers, Osun, Delta, Ekiti, Edo and Bayelsa States, Dr. Peter Odili, Chief Abdulkareem Adebisi Akande (Osun), Chief James Ibori Chief Ayo Fayose, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Chief Timipre Sylva, respectively.
