SUBEB To Take Legal Action Against Contractors Who Abandon Contracts
https://www.fearlessreports.com/2019/05/subeb-to-legal-action-against.html
Dr. Stephen Odey, Chairman of SUBEB |
By Uchino Amatey
The Chairman, Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (CR-SUBEB), Dr Stephen Odey has warned that SUBEB would legally go after contractors in the State, who abandoned contracts awarded them.
He made this known during a briefing with Contractors at the State Universal Basic Education Board, Calabar.
Dr Odey said the meeting was necessary to inform contractors of the Board’s next line of action.
According to him “it has become necessary and very urgent to meet with you and table some issues before you. Two weeks ago I had representatives from UBEC Abuja, they went round all the projects we have awarded so far, from 2012 till date and based on the report I got we realised that about 87 contractors are yet to complete the project given to them. It is important we let you know that if urgent steps are not taken the consequences for the abandonment of those projects will be grave.”
Reiterating on the need for contractors to return to site, he said the Board will step up monitoring of projects and will also publish names of defaulters on various media outlets.
“From next week we will step up our project monitoring activities, we will be going site to site and if you are found wanting your company name will be published. There is no reason for you to have delayed projects that were awarded 2-3 years ago up till now. We do not delay payment, we pay you based on milestones, so if you refuse to take action, your company name will be published and that can push you out of business because nobody will want to use a company that has been black listed in a particular office,” he explained.
He further advised contractors to always renew tax clearance in order to avoid delay in payment.
Describing some of the challenges faced by contractors which usually cause delay in the execution of projects, one of the Contractor of Bits Seconds Nigeria, Eyo Ita said difficult terrains and lack of access roads hinder the execution of projects. He also added that due to the location of some projects some artisans are unwilling to take jobs.
While appealing to contractors to return to site, Millionet Okon of Atmac Ventures Limited, called on other contractors to co-operate with the SUBEB Chairman, whom she described as unbiased and humble