_FROM: LarryBravo Nwaiwu, Enugu

Following the directive of Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State that all ongoing urban road projects must be completed immediately, the state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Gerald Otiji, has read the riot act to all the construction firms, warning that failure to meet the deadline given to them would attract sanctions in line with the laws of the land and their contract terms.

The commissioner  further issued a 20-day ultimatum to the construction companies to speed up all the ongoing phase one road projects across the state by mobilising for day and night work.

He threatened that companies that were unable to meet up with their targets would be blacklisted and therefore wouldn’t be able to secure any subsequent jobs in the state.

Engr. Gerald issued this warning on Tuesday when he inspected some of the road construction sites in the state capital, stressing that completion deadlines remained sacrosanct.

He, however, commended some of the engineering firms that had already completed their jobs. They include contractors that handled the Phone Village Road, Fire Service, New Haven Market Road, College Road, Dayspring/Lagos Street, Police College, Agbani Road, among others.

He said the governor was determined to ensure that all roads are connected to ease movement of persons and goods.

Speaking at the Premier Layout, Enugu, the Commissioner warned that contractors had no excuses for the delay in some of the projects since the government had already paid them.

“We are making it very clear that it is unacceptable to our government the slow pace at which some of these construction firms are going with their works. Even though they have been doing impressive quality job, we want them to double their efforts and deliver within time.

“I have just reminded them the consequences of not meeting up with the timeline pegged for them at the inception of the contract. We have paid them. So, they have no excuses to make.

“We will be tracking their progress daily because I have instructed them for daily report.

“Let me quickly commend those that have already completed their jobs. We have visited some of the roads, and both the government and the people of the state are impressed with the good jobs on the ground. We have been receiving feedbacks from road users and residents across the state extolling the projects.

“Gentlemen, you just witnessed my conversations with these contractors, and the ultimatum given to them. They have promised to commence doing these works both day and night. Don’t forget that the governor promised the people of urban renewal, access roads, ease of doing business through infrastructural revolution. That is what we are seeing today in the state.

“The governor has already declared a state of emergency on the area of infrastructure, and on our part, we must ensure the administration achieves everything contained in the Social Contract with our people,” the commissioner further said.

He called on the people to join the governance process through  monitoring the process activated by the government by ensuring they report acts of sabotage, vandalism and suspected attempt to subvert the peace of the state through any of the channels of communications made available by the government