?Says quality delivered must justify fund

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed displeasure at the slow pace of work by the contractors handling the total reconstruction of structures and landscaping at the Okrika Grammar School (OGS) in Okrika Local Government Area of the State.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi, said Governor Fubara expressed disappointment when he visited the project site on Monday to inspect and ascertain the extent of work done.

The Governor wondered why the Commissioner for Education had informed him wrongly that 70 per cent work had been achieved while what he could see was far below the impression created.

Visibly angry, the Governor said he will summon a meeting with the contractors immediately to read the riot act to them and re-emphasise strict compliance to project specifications and timelines that were mutually agreed.

He said: ?I have heard several reports from the Commissioner for Education, giving me updates, and I felt this is my constituency, so, I should visit.

?As a matter of fact, Okrika is dear to me, so I need to see for myself the extent of work done and the standard delivered too.

?My assessment; I need to be very raw: I am not satisfied. That is the truth. The Commissioner gave me the impression that 70 per cent of the job had been done, but from what I am seeing here, I need to take over the supervision of this project to make sure I give my people a standard Grammar School again.?

Fubara explained that the project of revamping the Okrika Grammar School (OGS) is focused on remodelling the once foremost secondary school in the State.

The Governor recalled that the OGS had produced a good number of great men who have become renowned in politics and other special areas of their disciplines not only in Rivers State but across the world.

Fubara stated: ?We were touched by the very deplorable state of the foremost school, and our government decided that we should give it a face-lift, and since after the award of this contract, we have not visited the school. So, we are doing it today.

?I understand the issue of price difference. We can discuss those variations, but the quality must match the amount that is spent.

?You know I am somebody who deals with figures, so, there must be value for money. And by the end, our people need to be happy that we have done this, and I also need to be happy that I did what is needed for our people.?

Fubara explained that his government had paid 100 percent of the contract sum for the project, adding that he has resolved now to take over the regular supervision of the project.

The Governor also inspected the state of work on the Woji-Akpajo-Alesa-Eleme-Port Harcourt Refinery Road and bridge.

?PHOTO: Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara (middle); Commissioner for Education, Dr Ovy Chinedu Chukwuma (2ndright); Commissioner for Special Projects, Dr Roland Obed-Whyte (right); Chairman, Okrika Local Government Council, Dr Achese Igwe (left); during the inspection of the progress of work done on the total remodelling and reconstruction of Okrika Grammar School in Okrika Local Government Area of the State on Monday.