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By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
The leadership of Angiama Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, has rejected the likely award of contract to a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Henry Ofongo, “or any company promoted by him,” for the construction of an Administrative Block, Information Communication Technology Centre and Library Building in the community.
In a petition to the state governor, Senator Douye Diri, the community admitted that while it is the government’s prerogative to award contract to any contractor of its choice, however, they said it is with compelling necessity they are opposed to the award of contract for the above projects or any project howsoever described in the community to Mr Ofongo.
The petition which was sign by the Deputy Paramount Ruler, Chief N.S. Biobele, Secretary, Council of Chiefs, Chief Census David, Chairman, CDC, Mr. Nelson Boloukiye, Youth President, Mr . Vincent Engman and Women Leader, Mrs . Deborah Allison, was made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The petition reads: “We the under-signed leaders representing the various structures, organs, and the interest of the entire people of Angiama community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State write to apprise you of a matter of urgent importance to our well-beloved community.
“Your Excellency, may we first start by conveying our deep and eternal gratitude to your good-self for the unquantifiable love towards us. For us as Angiama people, you set yourself apart from the pack of successive governments with the chiseling of the legacy Central Senatorial District road out of the heart of the swampy forest from Yenagoa to our well-beloved community, Angiama and beyond.
“The road has taken us to the world and brought the world to us as our once remote village is beginning to wear a city look. Travel time has reduced, commerce is improving and we have also been freed the agony of travelling through the river in speed boats and the risky cramped merchant wooden boats. Thus, you have engraved your name in our hearts and planted it in history books. This is to say a profound thank you.
“Your Excellency, as if this is not enough, you have gone on to further endear yourself to us with the relocation and building of a twelve (12) Classroom block for our Comprehensive Secondary School. We wish to state that we are pleased with the project awarded to the company promoted by Hon. Nengi Talbot.
“On the other hand, credible information available to us points to the fact that the contract for the Administrative Block, Information Communication Technology Centre and Library Building is about to be awarded to a company promoted by Hon. Henry Ofongo
“Your Excellency, while we admit that it is your prerogative to award the contract to any contractor of your choice, it is with compelling necessity that we are opposed to the award of the above projects or any project howsoever described in our community to Hon. Henry Ofongo.
“Your Excellency, we do not have anything personal against him, neither is our opposition anchored on hate. We are opposed to Henry Ofongo and any company connected to him for the over-riding good of our community and to forestall defeating the objective of the project.
“Hon. Henry Ofongo has a long-standing history of abandoning project after receipt of mobilisation funds. Here are some examples. In 2002/2003 Henry Ofongo as Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area initiated the Igbomotoru Health Centre Project and awarded the contract to himself but abandoned it at Lintel level. Furthermore, he was awarded the contract for One Hundred Thousand Litres Water Project by Nigerian Agip Oil Company for Igbomotoru Community, he also abandoned the project. In the same vein, he again abandoned the contract for the Construction of Concrete road at Igbomotoru 1, awarded to him by Niger Delta Development Commission.
“We are in austere times when resources are extremely scarce, but communities seeking government for projects are in the increase. The Angiama community is in a hurry for development, we therefore do not want our projects to suffer similar fate.
“In this regard, we humbly appeal to Your Excellency to please award the contract to the contractor recommended by the leadership of the Community, which recommendation letter was duly and jointly signed by all organs and was formally dispatched to you through the Hon. Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emilah, who has constantly been in touched with the Angiama leadership at all levels to endure all projects awarded are handled properly and in best and overall interest of Angiama community. We undertake to be held responsible in the event of any failure to deliver or breach of the contract.’
