…threatens sanctions 

By Peter Duru, Makurdi 

The Executive Chairman of Benue State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Dr. Grace Adagba has issued a 14-day ultimatum to contractors handling ongoing school projects, in the state, funded through the 2022/2023 UBEC/SUBEB Matching Grants, to complete the jobs or face sanctions. 

Dr. Adagba issued the directive while  monitoring ongoing work on school projects in the state to ensure strict adherence to specifications and timelines. 

The Information Officer of the Board, Emmanuella Akese in a statement in Makurdi disclosed that the Chairman who addressed the contractors at the various project sites visited, noted that while some had demonstrated commendable commitment to their work others were slow in the execution of the projects. 

Dr. Adagba said, “we have seen that most contractors are doing their best, but some are slow. We have given them a 14-day ultimatum to complete the projects. 

“The project duration is six months, and at the end of April, the timeline for executing the projects will elapse. If they fail to deliver within the given period, they will face sanctions.” 

She however expressed optimism that most of the contractors would meet the deadline, stressing that “several projects are already completed while others have reached 85 percent completion stage. 

“I must emphasize that under the leadership of the Executive Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, projects are designed based on strict specifications. Any contractor who deviates from these specifications will be sanctioned.” 

The Chairman of the Project Monitoring and Design Committee, Dr. Eric Gowon confirmed that many classroom renovation projects were completed, while structures like storey buildings were nearing completion. 

Dr. Gowon who reminded the contractors that successful project execution depended on three key elements among which were time, cost, and credibility urged all contractors to adhere to design specifications. 

Also Speaking, a Contractor, Cornelius Aayongu, pledged to do his best to meet the deadline. 

Similarly, a community member from Selagi, Mr. Emmanuel Ngutswen, expressed gratitude to the Governor Alia-led administration for bringing development to the grassroots “and initiating the construction of the first-ever storey building classrooms in our community.” 

On the team of the Executive Chairman were members of the SUBEB Project Design and Monitoring Committee led by the Committee Chairman, Dr. Gowon, the Secretary, Dr. Nasela Pila, Berikisu Musa, Dickson Orkoh and Danladi Ochefu. 

Some of the Schools visited were the LGEA Primary School Nege, Mbatiav, Gboko; St. James Primary School, Mbadeda, Yandev Gboko; St. Francis Primary School, Agidi-Mbatiav Gboko; RCM Primary School, Agayo Gboko, and LGEA Primary School, Selagi in Konshisha LGA.