The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced an investigation into the controversial state of an approximately 11-kilometre section of the Summit Junction–Asaba–Onitsha Head Bridge Road in Delta State, following allegations that about ₦14 billion had been paid to the contractor without corresponding completion of the project.
A senior official of the anti-graft agency confirmed the development on Monday, disclosing that EFCC investigators had already visited the project site as part of efforts to establish the facts surrounding the contract.
According to the official, the investigation is at an early stage, with investigators examining the actual level of work executed against payments reportedly made on the project.
“A serious investigation has commenced on the matter. Our crack investigators had been there to verify what is happening. I can’t disclose more than that because the investigation is still at an early stage,” the official said.»
The probe followed a petition submitted to the EFCC by activist and Publisher of The Common Good Letter, Rev. David Ugolor, seeking an independent investigation into the award, financing, execution and supervision of the road project.
Ugolor’s petition came against the backdrop of concerns raised by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, during an inspection of road projects along the Agbor–Asaba–Onitsha corridor in Delta State on August 28.
The minister reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work by Hartland Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling the project, alleging that only about 40 per cent of the work had been completed despite payments said to be in the region of ₦14 billion.
Umahi had also threatened possible action against the company’s Managing Director and called for scrutiny of certificates allegedly issued in relation to the project, as well as recovery of public funds if wrongdoing was established.
In his petition, however, Ugolor stressed that his request was not an attempt to pronounce the contractor or any public official guilty, but to ensure that the allegations were subjected to an independent investigation based on documentary and technical evidence.
He urged the EFCC to establish the identity and reference number of the contract, the date it was awarded, the procuring and approving authorities, the procurement process adopted and the original contract value.
The petitioner also requested an examination of the precise scope of the project, including the road alignment, drainage works, channelisation and hydraulic structures contained in the contract.
He further called for verification of the contractor’s technical and financial capacity, personnel and equipment requirements, as well as a comprehensive review of payments made throughout the project.
According to Ugolor, the investigation should determine why the project had not been completed within the stipulated period and establish, on the basis of evidence, whether any individual or organisation bears responsibility for any breach of contract or other wrongdoing.
He said the allegations raised by the Minister of Works were matters of significant public interest that should be resolved through proper investigation rather than public statements alone.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, was reportedly unavailable for comment at the time of filing this report.
The ongoing investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the project, including the funds released, work executed, contractual obligations and any possible discrepancies between payments and the level of completion.
Credit: Punch Newspaper except headline
