N5bn Akwa Ibom skills centre project a disaster – Minister

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Stephen Oru, has said that he is disappointed with the low quality of work at the N5 billion Akwa Ibom Skills Acquisition Centre project, Iwuoachang, Ibeno Local Government Area.

The minister also queried the project consultant, who he said did not only fail to inform government about the poor quality job at the site but also failed to strike a working relationship with the contractors, the host community and the local government. Oru, who was inspecting projects under the ministry in the Niger Delta Area on Friday and Saturday, warned that the ministry would not accept low quality jobs from its contractors.

He was very angry with the three contractors handling the skills acquisition project and the consultants, Abuja-based Acres Turnkey Projects. “I am disappointed in the quality of work done here.

The work is poor and below standard; and therefore cannot be well done ultimately. There is no cordial relationship between you, the consultants, the contractors and the community at large.

This job is a disaster,” he said. The minister said he would not accept the explanations of the representatives of the contractors, Stegis International Limited, Enorasol Nigeria Limited and Y.S. Associates, that put the blame of poor quality materials on host community, which had to be involved in the project. Meanwhile, the minister has directed contractors working on the Bayelsa State Skills Acquisition Complex project, Otuoke to increase the tempo of work.

He also expressed dismay at the quality of some of the buildings within the centre. The minster was accompanied on the working tour of projects by the minister of state in the ministry, Mr. Dickson Isiaku Dairius as well as top functionaries in the ministry including the director of infrastructure, Mr. Nelson Ovhiri and the director of housing, Mr. Jupe Jemide and the director of information, Mr. Danbata Salisu. Punch