Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday during Plenary, called on the Executive to regulate the standard operating procedures for road contract administration in the State.
The House also urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to direct the Commissioner, Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed to ensure that contractors are not paid mobilisation fee unless Right of Way, RoW is demarcated and the contractor is ready to work.
The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni who presided over Plenary stated that there is a need to regulate the standard procedures of awarding contract in the State as it causes deficiency and the State must certify that funds are not released before right of way is guaranteed and approved.
Expressing his dismay on the prevalence of failure of newly constructed and rehabilitated roads in the State; Hon. Abiodun Tobun, the prime mover of the motion, noted that one of the cardinal programmes of the State Government is to provide world class infrastructural facilities to support the growing population within the State; therefore recognised that huge amount of money is being spent yearly on road repairs and reconstruction.
He further added that the abandonment of many road projects begging for attention to commence or to be completed is as a result of the absence of approved regulations specifying the standard operating procedures required in road project administration, lack of delivery of Right of Way, RoW before payment of mobilization fee.
Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, in his submission, stated that the regulations of the standard operating procedures should be looked into in order to implement sanctions for erring contractors who do not follow the administrations stipulated in the contract signed by them to ensure satisfying results.
Lending his voice, Hon. Rasheed Makinde noted that there are lots of limitations in the implementation of many projects and the regulation is for the residents of Lagos State to get value for tax payers money spent on projects.
The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni concluded that there should be synergy with the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Justice, Physical Planning and Urban Development and Finance as well as Lands in ensuring that resources are judiciously utilized.
