Kuni Tyessi in Abuja
A civil society organization, the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, is demanding an independent investigation into the reported payment of N14 billion to a contractor handling an 11-kilometre section of the Benin-Asaba-Onitsha expressway.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, ANEEJ Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor, said the call became necessary after the Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi raised concerns over the poor level of work on the project during an inspection on August 28.
According to Ugolor, the minister disclosed that the federal government had paid about N14 billion to Hartland Nigerian Limited for the stretch from Summit Junction to Head Bridge, including drainage and hydraulic works.
Dissatisfied with progress on site, Umahi directed officials to track down the contractor’s Managing Director, recover monies already paid, enforce the Advance Payment Guarantee, and audit all payment certificates.
The group said the revelations raised serious accountability questions and listed five key demands that include full disclosure of contract documents comprising award letter, contract sum, scope, timelines and any variations.
Others are complete payment records such as dates, amounts, certificates, officials who approved payments, and banks involved, independent technical audit to verify the reported 40% completion and what has actually been delivered.
“Details of the Advance Payment Guarantee– issuing bank, amount, expiry, and whether it has been called; Probe of all officials involved in recommending, supervising, certifying and approving payments
“We welcome the minister’s audit, but it must be independent. An internal review will not be enough given the public interest in N14 billion” Ugolor stated.
ANEEJ said it has written to the EFCC, ICPC, BPP, Code of Conduct Bureau and the Attorney-General of the Federation to investigate the project and determine if public funds should be recovered.
The group also asked the BPP and Ministry of Works to clarify if Hartland’s previous performance on federal projects was considered before the contract was awarded.
“An arrest is not an audit. An arrest is not a payment reconciliation,” Ugolor said, stressing that Nigerians need evidence and value for money.
He added that the Benin-Asaba-Onitsha corridor is too strategic to be left undelivered, noting that residents and businesses in Edo, Delta and Anambra states “suffer twice when money is paid but roads are not delivered.”
ANEEJ vowed to continue monitoring the contracts, payments and responsibility chain “until the public interest is served.”