By  Chris Ochayi
ABUJA—THE Federal Government, yesterday, issued a two- week ultimatum to contractors and consultants handling the construction of skill acquisition centre projects across the nine states, that make up the Niger Delta region, within which to commence work on the project sites or get their contracts revoked.

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, who read the riot act alongside his Minister of State, Mr Samuel Ode, at a meeting with contractors and consultants handling the projects in Abuja, warned that they have no excuse not to deliver the projects to the beneficiaries.

Elder Orubebe, who bemoaned the contractors complaints of community interference and other sundry excuses as responsible for the delay being experienced in the execution of the centres, said their position was unacceptable since they were aware of the situation on ground before the contracts were awarded to them.

He said, “you are all aware of the situation in the Niger Delta region. When the Ministry advertised the contracts in some national dailies, we specifically asked that only contractors, who ready to work in the region need apply for the job.

“You knew all these problems exist before you got the job and from the onset you knew the history of Niger Delta region and the expectant challenges. Community issue should not inhibits work.

“You have to return to work because you have told us that you can work in the Niger Delta and so you should work. Beginning from next two weeks, we are going to inspect all the project sites and anyone of you found wanting would have his contract revoked.”

Elder Orubebe charged the contractors to go the extra mile to address the issue of community interference by ensuring that they are involved and carried along so that they can collectively make progress on the projects.

The Ministry, according to the Minister,  informs the people on the significance and importance of the developmental projects going on  in the region.

“Each time we visit project sites, we also talk to the community people and these are issues we have been talking with them,” he said.