The House of Representatives ad hoc committee, tasked with investigating the delays plaguing the Ijebu-Igbo-Ita-Ibadan Road project in Oyo State, has taken a significant step by summoning officials from the Federal Ministry of Works.
These officials have been called upon to provide insights into the contentious matter surrounding the re-award of the road project to a new contractor, despite the initial contract remaining in force.
Chairing the committee, Kwamoti Laori, has emphasized the gravity of the situation, warning that even the Minister of Works may be summoned should the summoned officials fail to furnish the committee with the necessary explanations regarding the controversies surrounding the project’s re-award.
Initially, the Director of Highway South-West, Mr. Adedamola Kuti, stated during the inaugural sitting on September 7 that the contract with DC Engineering Ltd. had been terminated as of September 2022. Instead, it was re-awarded to two different companies. Mr. Kuti assured the lawmakers that he would provide a copy of the termination letter within 72 hours.
However, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria, three weeks later, neither Mr. Kuti nor any other Ministry of Works official had been able to produce the termination letter as promised. This led to growing skepticism and concerns over the transparency of the process.
During the committee’s hearings, the Executive Director of DC Engineering Ltd. informed the members that they had never received any formal termination letter from the Ministry of Works.
He pointed out that their equipment and workforce were still actively engaged on the project site. In a surprising twist, he also highlighted that the same ministry had certified their work and had made payments as recently as August 2023.
This situation reflects a complex and potentially troubling scenario, raising questions about the project’s management and oversight.
The committee’s efforts to bring clarity to the matter and ensure accountability are essential for transparency and effective governance.
