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There is currently a drama playing out in Edo State as the State Government has taken over a federal constituency project of Mr Peter Akpatason, the Deputy Majority Leader of the House of Representatives and member, Ad hoc Committee on Constitution Review.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the drama started when a constituent of Akpatason, who is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in a live video that went viral called out the project for not being executed up to standard.
In the viral video shown below, the constituent, who gave his name as Paul aba Lawani, was heard raining curses on politicians and alleging in the video that the road project fell short of standard and quality.
Watch video below:
MATTERS ARISING.
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LAWANI STREET, IGARRA
AKOKO-EDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE NIGERIA.-PAULSON GREAT
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Posted by Paul Alaba Lawani on Saturday, 3 July 2021
TNG reports a visible signboard along the on-going construction indicated that the project is being undertaken by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Agency, constructed by Royal Jeff Nigeria Ltd and Sponsored by Akpatason.
The project was for the construction of link roads and drains of 200m at Igarra Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency.
After the video went viral, Akpatason quickly wrote a letter to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Agency, calling for urgent investigation of the allegations as contained in the viral video.
Akpatason’s letter to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Agency reads: “It has been brought to my knowledge that the above road project awarded to Royal Jeff Nigeria Limited by Rural Development Department as part of the Zonal Intervention Projects in the 2020 Appropriation Act is allegedly being poorly executed to the dissatisfaction of my constituents.
“I am personally very embarrassed by the disturbing allegations contained in a short video by one of my constituents, who claims that the ongoing job is grossly substandard.
“Therefore, I request that Rural Development Department should urgently investigate the allegations as contained in the viral video and report back within 24hours with details of your findings for necessary actions to address this unpleasant development.
“Also furnish my office with details of the awards as well as Bills of Quantity. Please treat as urgent. Accept the assurances of my esteemed warm regards”.
However, on Tuesday, the Edo State Government orders take over of the project for the construction of link roads and drains of 200m at Igarra Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the State.
Following the viral video online, which exposed the poorly executed road project, Governor Godwin Obaseki, represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, inspected the project and affirmed that it is substandard.
A statement ordering take over of the project by the State Government reads: “the Edo State Government has taken over the construction of the Lawani Crescent Federal Constituency Road project in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state.
“Following a viral video online, which exposed the poorly executed road project, we undertook an inspection of the project and affirmed that it is substandard. The project falls short of the standard that we have maintained in execution of road projects across Edo State.
“We call on citizens to take charge of all government properties in their area. The contractor handling the Lawani Crescent project must be arrested for the bad job done and handed over to ICPC and the EFCC, to enable us ascertain exactly what happened.
“The contract for the project stands revoked. The National Assembly allocated N360m for constituency projects in Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency this year. We would investigate all to ensure we have value for money”.