By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR

The Cross River State Government has terminated the contract for the construction of the Obanliku–Obudu–Abuochiche–Mfom–Okpoma Road, barely months after releasing part of the project funds to the contractor, Messrs Sydney Construction Nigeria Limited, citing poor performance and failure to meet contractual obligations.

The termination was announced by the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Pius Edet Ankpo, following a comprehensive inspection of the project by a team of government engineers.

According to the commissioner, the assessment revealed that the contractor failed to make satisfactory progress on the road despite the huge financial support recently released to accelerate completion of the project.

Ankpo said the contractor failed to execute the work in line with approved specifications, quality standards and contractual requirements, notwithstanding the funds already disbursed.

“The company has demonstrated a clear lack of competence in delivering the project, and the government has therefore terminated the contract,” the commissioner stated.

He assured residents that the road would be reassessed and re-awarded to a more competent contractor capable of delivering the project within the expected timeframe and quality standards.

The road is regarded as a strategic infrastructure project in Cross River North, serving thousands of residents, farmers and businesses by connecting major communities and facilitating economic activities across the region.

The contract was originally awarded in 2016 under the administration of former Governor Ben Ayade. Over the years, the project has suffered prolonged delays, drawing criticism from residents and stakeholders over its slow pace of execution.

With the contract now terminated, attention has shifted to the state government’s next steps in completing the critical road project, as residents express hope that a new contractor will finally end years of delay and improve connectivity across the affected communities.

When contacted, the Commissioner for Information, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, confirmed the termination, adding that the State Executive Council would meet to ratify the decision.

Ekpang, who spoke with Vanguard on the telephone, said the termination should serve as a warning to other contractors handling projects for the state government to sit up and deliver quality work.

“The administration of Senator Bassey Otu won’t allow any substandard job. The termination was done during a project tour by the Commissioner for Works,” he said.

He added that the government was equally watching other ongoing projects across the state, citing the Ikom road project, popularly known as “Sweet Mother Road,” as one currently under investigation.

“Let this be a warning to other contractors handling projects for the state. We won’t accept any substandard job

“We are still investigating what has happened in Ikom (Sweet Mother road); if the contractor is found wanting, we will wield the big axe,” he said.