Spectrum Engineering LTD has been summoned by the Kogi State House of Assembly to provide insight into the reasons behind the abandonment of the 6km Ihima-Oboroke-Obangede road reconstruction project.
An urgent public motion raised by Otokiti Alhassan Zakariya, the representative of Okehi Constituency, highlighted the impact of the deteriorated road on commercial activities in the affected areas. It also posed threats to the lives and properties of both residents and travelers on that route.
According to Zakariya, criminal activities such as robbery, kidnapping, theft, and rape have been on the rise along the unfinished road, which was awarded to Spectrum Engineering LTD in 2016. Despite receiving 60% of the contract sum, the project was not completed as scheduled, leading to vulnerabilities exploited by criminals.
Notably, the contractor had been previously summoned twice by the House Committee due to non-compliance with the terms of the contract. Despite several interventions to prompt the project’s completion, the situation persists, creating security risks and hindering normal vehicular movement.
Various criminal incidents have been reported on the road, including abduction cases and attacks on individuals, further discouraging motorists and farmers. The deteriorating security situation has also hindered socio-economic progress in the affected areas.
In response to the escalating security challenges, the Speaker of the House, Aliyu Umar Yusuf, expressed his concerns. He recounted instances of criminal activities targeting students and residents, emphasizing the need for enhanced security measures in the state.
The Speaker instructed the House Committee on Works and Infrastructure, in collaboration with the Kogi State Ministry of Works, to conduct an on-site evaluation of the project and propose necessary recommendations to address the prevailing issues.