Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo 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 that it handles.
Governor 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 Rivers State 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.
The fund 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.
With the amended law, governor Wike emphasized that his administration got the latitude to pay an upward of 70 percent mobilisation fee to contractors handling various projects in the State.
The governor noted that such practice has led to the great accomplishment recorded in the delivery of development projects in the State by his administration.
Governor 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 N80B.
The payment pattern, he explained, that is adopted is a monthly deduction of N4B 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, Governor Wike explained that it is one among others started from 2019 and delivered by his administration.
The governor stressed that ordinarily some of the flyovers are on federal roads and the State should be refunded by the Federal government. He therefore, requested the incoming administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider a possible refund to the 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, the President-Elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu noted that his presence to perform the duties of opening the flyover for public use is another way of building bridge, most essential for the country.
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 he is owing the State because the projects are within Rivers and are used by the people.
President-elect, Tinubu, however, said there will be need for governor Wike to further discuss the issues with him and intensify his lobby to secure the refund.
