Road contractors in Imo State are not happy with the N180 billion allegedly owed them and may make it difficult for Governor Rochas Okorocha to win a second term.
Soon after his election in 2011, he engaged more than 200 contractors to build new roads and mend old ones.
Members of a group called Unpaid Imo Contractors (UPIC) are now facing hard times over unpaid jobs.
They claimed that the government owes them over N180 billion and that 19 of them have died because of shock and regular reminders from banks demanding repayment of loans obtained to execute the projects.
Okorocha’s announcement triggers protests
UPIC recently staged street protests in Owerri, irked by an announcement by Okorocha that all road contractors have been paid.
The leader of the contractors, Udogadi Ononiwu, said: “We have built Imo State with our money since 2011 because Okorocha told us to build, that he would pay. He should honour his promises and pay us.
“He has verified the jobs we did more than five times, always promising to pay but to no avail. He should stop treating Imo contractors like outcasts. Okorocha has taken the glory for the jobs yet he can’t pay us.
“Okorocha claimed in his publications and media briefing that he has paid all contractors. It is not true. The banks and all the sources we got money from to execute the projects are on our neck.
“We cannot sit back and watch our members die gradually because of the insensitivity of the Imo government.
“We are aware that there are contractors whose contracts did not pass through due process and if the government has paid such people it should not be generalised that all contractors have been paid.
“Members of UPIC are certified contractors whose contracts are backed by relevant documents from the state government.”
The contractors denied that they are being sponsored by rival political parties to rubbish Okorocha and block his re-election.
Imo denies owing contractors
But Information Commissioner, Chidi Ibeh, told TheNiche that the government is not owing the contractors. He alleged that some of them abandoned projects after collecting huge sums as mobilisation fees.
Ibeh accused the contractors of being sponsored by political opponents to smear the name of Okorocha.
Said he: “All payments relating to contractors have been harmonised by the government and it will not be fair if contractors in the state, who are not being owed, try to rubbish [Okorocha].
“By all standards, he has elevated the status of Imo people in the areas of infrastructure development which can only be compared with the achievements of the late Governor of old Imo State, Sam Mbakwe.
“We are determined to ensure victory for the governor in his second tenure bid irrespective of the activities of detractors.”
Call for calm
However, UPIC Public Relations Officer, Emenike Uzor, confirmed that meetings held with Okorocha’s Chief of Staff, Jude Ejiogu, in pursuit of the payment have been fruitful.
He said the government asked for time to re-verify their claims and urged them to calm down.
