A’ibom Assembly tasks contractors on road projects

CHAIRMAN, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Works and Transport, Mr. David Lawrence, has urged contractors handling road projects in the state to double up and justify level of work at each project site with the volume money they have so far received from government. Lawrence, who is the member representing Eket State Constituency, emphasised that the intention of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration as captured in his completion agenda was to ensure that all projects awarded by his government are justifiably completed.

The committee chairman gave the charge yesterday in Uyo, the state capital, when he led members of the committee for an on- the- spot assessment inspection to ascertain work pace at various project sites in the state.

Managing Director of AMITEC Construction, Aiman Saimua, who spoke while briefing the committee on work done on Atan Offot Road, said the project was at 70 per cent completion stage, saying that what is left for the project to be completed is stone base and asphalt laying.

“Currently, the project is at 70 per cent completion stage. We have equally carried out earthworks of 2.1mtr deep from top surface. Hopefully, if we are mobilised back to site, this project will be completed within the next three months from now,” Aiman assured.

He, however, attributed the delay to the outbreak of COVID- 19, which he admitted, had negatively affected supposed work progress.

The committee members, who expressed dissatisfaction over the slow pace of work done on 19.5- kilometre Anua- Mbak Ishiet Road, which was awarded to Verini construction firm five years ago, warned that the House of Assembly would not entertain project abandonment by contractors.