Niger Govt To Pay N2.8b As Mobilisation Fees

The Niger State Government has earmarked N2.8 billion for payment of mobilisation fees to contractors handling its various road projects.

The projects are estimated at about N9 billion.

Governor Babangida Aliyu said the projects were in line with his administration’s commitment to the improvement of roads in the state.

He said at the contract signing ceremony in Minna that government would continue to ensure that due process and transparency were adhered in the award of contracts.

Aliyu warned that government would not hesitate to terminate any contract, if the contractor was found to be incompetent.

Aliyu, represented by his Deputy, Mr. Ahmed Ibeto, promised that government would promptly pay any contractor who delivered its job on schedule.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the contracts include the construction of four roads in Minna, Kaffin Koro-Gwada and Rijau-Dukku Roads, as well as a bridge on River Kaduna on the Minna-Sarkin Pawa-Kaduna Road.

The Commissioner for Works, Dr. Ibrahim Sule, said the road projects were being financed from the bond sourced from the capital market.

He said the contractors must first produce evidence of their networth from reputable banks before their mobilisation fee could be paid.

Sule said government had ensured that the contractors passed through stringent pre-qualification bidding and selection processes, in line with laid down guidelines.

The commissioner said government had also selected two consultants to effectively monitor the performance of the contractors to ensure comformity with standards and timely delivery of projects.