The Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, weekend said that the Federal government is set to commence termination of contracts of contractors who have defaulted in their contracts.

They include contractors who abandoned their contract even after receiving payment while non-performing contractors may enjoy the grace of their contracts not being terminated because of the far they have gone with it.

Fashola who spoke at the inspection of work done at the Ziks Mausoleum during a one-day working visit to inspect federal government-sponsored projects said that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari had ensured that none of its contractors were owed.

He said that future contracts to contractors would be based on the assessment of their performance with projects they have handled in the past adding that it has become imperative to initiate a measure that will keep them on the contractors on their toes.

The project was awarded in 2012 by Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan had the contractor mobilise to site in 2013 but demobilized in 2014 due to non-payment of certificates generated.

While assuring that the Federal government is committed to working with all state governments, irrespective of party affiliation in order to make life more meaningful for the people, the Minister noted that new ways of funding federal projects were being explored.

In his speech, the Federal Controller of Works in charge of Anambra State, Mr Innocent Alumona noted that all outstanding monies have been cleared and the contractor has been paid in full to deliver the Zik’s Mausoleum.

Earlier, during a courtesy visit to the state Governor, Willie Obiano at the governor's lodge in Amawbia, Fashola said that while in a closed-door meeting with the Governor, he had tried to find out the progress of work on the second Niger Bridge as well as the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway especially the very bad Umunya to Amawbia axis.

He also raised the issue of refund of the over fifty billion naira owed the State on Federal Road works done during Ex-Governor Peter Obi’s administration.

The Minister noted that the visit was a follow up on an appeal made by Governor Obiano during his visit last year for immediate intervention on Federal Government projects in the State, saying that the Federal Government has awarded the reconstruction of Umunya to Amawbia axis of the Enugu-Onitsha expressway.

He said the contractor had been fully mobilized to site and work will commence soon.

On the second Niger Bridge, Fashola promised that the present Federal Government is committed to delivering the project but solicited the assistance of Anambra and Delta State Governments in dealing with the issue of heavy claims by communities whose lands were used for the project

According to him, the claims are presently at about N5 billion.

He, however, hailed Obiano for his second term victory saying the result was as a result of his good stewardship.

The Governor in his speech expressed delight that the Minister has assured that, things will be done differently this time, adding that Ndi Anambra is desirous of having Federal presence in the state.

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