Contractors Cry Out To Governor Over Unpaid Contracts, Allege Hardship, Sale Of Supplied Items
Contractors Cry Out To Governor Over Unpaid Contracts, Allege Hardship, Sale Of Supplied Items
According to the group, the contractors executed the projects with loans obtained from financial institutions but have not been paid by the Kaduna State Government, leaving many in severe economic hardship.
Contractors under the platform of the former Legacy Act Ltd have again raised the alarm over alleged non-payment of about N38billion for contracts they claimed to have executed across Kaduna State.
The contractors, in a statement issued through the Eagle Brain Human Rights Organisation (HRO) said the projects include drilling of boreholes, supply of hospital beds, generators, motorcycles, ambulances, drugs and vaccines, and construction of Primary Health Care Centres, awarded through the Ministry of Local Government.
According to the group, the contractors executed the projects with loans obtained from financial institutions but have not been paid by the Kaduna State Government, leaving many in severe economic hardship.
The contractors alleged that accumulated interest on the loans has crippled their businesses, with some claiming they have lost properties and are facing family distress.
They further alleged that movable items supplied under the contracts are being disposed of without due process, while attempts are being made to retrieve award letters from contractors and change the project name from the former Legacy Act Ltd to various local government names.
The contractors also disclosed that the consultant for the projects, Alhaji Bashir Mohammed, is currently in custody and has been denied bail.
They called on the national leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to independently investigate the activities of their Kaduna offices and all persons involved in handling the matter.
They also dismissed claims by an individual parading himself as chairman of all contractors in Kaduna State who reportedly said the Governor Uba Sani-led state government had paid or made commitment to pay, describing the claims as false.
In his reaction, the Chief Executive Officer of Eagle Brain Human Rights Organisation, Comrade Daniel Ejembi, called for a transparent and independent investigation into the matter to establish the facts.
Ejembi said such investigation would ensure due process is followed, protect the rights of all parties including the detained consultant, and prevent further loss of lives and livelihoods arising from the dispute.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. All parties deserve a fair hearing,” he said.
