NIGERIA: AWARDING CONTRACT A SHADOW OF REALITY. When I was a teenager, listening to national network news was not only a passion but a way of keeping an update of what is going on around Nigeria. One of the dominated news in our national network news then was contract awarding. By so doing, when contract are awarded, it set pace for economic, environmental, urban, rural, and infrastructural development. The main aim of awarding contract is to get things fix ranging from starting a new project, road construction, and repairs of lapidated government projects. In a nutshell, it is a way of taking care of government properties both national and in state level that enhance speedy development. It is also widely believed that when contracts are awarded by the government to carry out certain projects, there are tendencies that it would create employment opportunities and also triggered economic growth if such projects are executed on time in transparent and accountable manners. Moreover, if all the contracts awarded by the federal government especially in the area road construction were to be given by the right and qualified contractors with strong supervision and follow up to make sure that the work is done and up to approved standard, then Nigeria by now would have been rated as one of the best in the world in terms of good road network. It is heart breaking to believe that most of the contracts are commission on proxy; while others use their position in government to award contract as a means of settlement, enrich political faithful, and friends through their companies that operated under disguised name. However, since the ultimate importance of awarding those contracts was not under the pretext of enhancing the nation development, then, the aims of such contracts is always defeated. In most cases, majority of fake foreign contractors who paraded themselves in Nigeria as real professionals are the one that won the bids for big contract projects because of their strong connection with top government officials. It is therefore worthy to say that some of these foreign contractors always carried out those projects hastily and some do not even do it all. Even most of the so call executed projects are done without approved standard that will only last for months if not days. They did this by capitalizing on their connection with some corrupt government officials to enrich themselves in sharing the money allocated to those projects. They have the leeway to do what they like because they knew quiet well that in Nigeria most projects are not supervise. They knew that awarding contract is a political settlement; a shadow of reality. It is unfortunate to say that most of the perpetuators of this corrupt act are the top government officials who use their influence and power to cover up these bad deals. If the entire contract awarded for the construction of state and federal roads in Nigeria were to be carried out with deep sense of patriotism, then the road linkages in Nigeria would have transformed the country into paradise instead of dead trap. It is also pertinent to say that majority of accident that occurred in Nigeria highways is as a result of uncompleted roads projects. The situation has become so disturbing that we should be concern as a country that millions of naira is always allocated to projects that never completed and nobody care to ask question or investigate in order to bring the culprits to face the wrath of law. While others are suppressing the development of their state in particular, and Nigeria as a whole in awarding ghost and unfinished contracts, few others are performing. One among the few performers that have succeeded in transforming their state is Barrister Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state. In fairness to Governor Akpabio’s assessment, he has done extra ordinary well especially in the area of road construction. In confirming this gesture, a maritime expert, Mr. Smart Udomisoh who returned to Nigeria from one year studies in the field of maritime sector in Europe and recently visited Akwa Ibom State describe the good road network and other development as incredible. He was amazed that Akwa Ibom state could witness such a rapid transformation that does not only attract investors but has become a center piece where people visit for pleasure and conferences. Also, a season journalist, Anthony Maliki who visited Akwa Ibom state to see things by himself described Akwa Ibom as the fast growing city that has witnessed massive infrastructure in his article titled ‘’Unveiling The Splendour of Uyo.’’ Looking at the way the world is speedily advancing both technologically and otherwise, it is imperative that we have a rethink on how to handle projects that will promote rapid transformation if we are to catch up with other developed countries. Aniefiok Jacob A gospel radio talk host, Jonesboro, USA. annijacobs2002@yahoo
Posted on: Thu, 04 Jul 2013 14:43:00 +0000