Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, has condemned the unprofessional conduct of the Ministry of Works officials, Engineers, Consultants, and Contractors handling construction projects in the state, citing sharp practices that undermine project delivery.
In a video circulating on social media, Bago rebuked the Ministry of Works, and New Niger Development company and consultants for their lackadaisical attitude and failure to report accurately on project progress.
He explained that he stopped paying contractors because of the sharp practices and failure to report accurately on the projects.
Bago noted significant disparities in project completion rates, with some contractors finishing 100% of their work while others struggled with basic tasks like drainage.
According to him, “Some are performing superlative while some are performing very decimally”;;.
“I want to first rebuke the consultants, the Ministry of Work, and the New Niger Development company for their sharp practices and lackadaisical attitude for not reporting the right thing on the ongoing projects in the state, ”;; Bago blasted them..
The governor also stated that it’s a disgrace that while some contractors had completed 100% of their projects, others were still struggling with basic tasks like drainages at the sites.
He assured contractors with pending invoices that funds would be released for them to continue work, but warned that only those with the capacity to deliver would receive payment.
Hinting further at a conspiracy between official of the contractors, he said,”;; Some of you have your Certificate of Verification (CV ) in the banks, I stopped it because I am not satisfied.
“At my own discretion, I will approve for those I think have the capacity to continue, you will get your payment.
“The Ministry of Works is not in a position to approve funds without proper oversight.”;;
