PERFORM OR LOSE YOUR CONTRACT, ORUBEBE TELLS CONTRACTORS

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, has charged contractors handling construction work at the various skills acquisition centres in the Niger Delta region to speed up their work rate or face revocation of their contracts

Orubebe gave the warning during the one-week-inspection tour of the centres.

He was visibly angry, particularly with the three indigenous contractors, handling the construction work at Tuomo in Delta State, said: 'I am particularly disappointed with what is on ground. My colleague and I are coming back in two weeks time to see the level of work on this site and if we find no appreciable improvement, we'll have to review your contract.'

'I have seen that the pace at which you are going cannot in any way match with the vision of Mr. President to transform the Niger Delta in the shortest possible time.' Orubebe further stated that the contractors had failed to reciprocate the goodwill of the ministry in contracting out the project to indigenous construction companies as well as the release of huge sums of money to them by performing optimally.

He noted with dismay that the contractors had displayed poor job performance and nonchalant attitude toward contract execution. However, the minster was impressed with the contractors and the level of work done at Otuoke and Elele Skills Acquisition Centres, in Bayelsa and Rivers States respectively.

He commended their determination and zeal to work despite pockets of challenges faced on site, especially from the community and youth leaders.

Speaking with journalists on the level of work done so far on the sites and if the contractors could possibly meet the completion period considering the challenges highlighted by the contractors, Orubebe said he was satisfied with what he saw at Otuoke and Elele sites but was disappointed with what he saw in Tuomo.

He promised to visit the traditional rulers, community and youth leaders in the areas to iron out all differences that may exist between them and the contractors.