Lokpobiri’s visit to Brass, encouraging to local contractors in Bayelsa—Noel Dimi Inafa
....hails Fak Engineering & Construction Company on 3.2km Ewoama Concrete Road
Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri has cautioned contractors working on various Federal Government projects in the South South region to work diligently to avoid the fate of abandoned projects.
Senator Lokpobiri, who visited four projects awarded simultaneously by the Federal Government on Brass Island, Bayelsa State including the 3.2km Concrete Road in Ewoama, the Petroleum Tank Farm, the Atlantic Petroleum Refinery, and the Brass Fertilizer Company.
While the latter three projects are rated as abandoned, the 3.2km Concrete Road in Ewoama contracted by the NMDPRA to Fak Engineering & Construction Company Ltd of Bayelsa State in November 2022, with supervision provided by Reliabuild Services Ltd with a contract duration of two years.
Hon. Noel Dimi Inafa, popularly known as Baba Walo, who is an indigene of Brass Local Government and Community Relations Manager of Fak Engineering & Construction Company Ltd., while commenting on the visit of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, noted that “the Honourable Minister was impressed with the quality of work completed thus far, describing it as the best concrete project in the South-South region.”
In his statement titled ” Clarification on Recent Developments Regarding the Concrete Access Road Project”, Hon. Noel Dimi Inafa, “I esteem it necessary to address some recent mixed messages and misinformation making the rounds surrounding the visit of the Honourable Minister of Petroleum State, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, PhD, to the ongoing construction of the 3.2km Concrete Access Road from Ewoama to Inibomoye Kiri on Brass Island.
“To clarify, this project was contracted by the NMDPRA to Fak Engineering & Construction Company Ltd of Bayelsa State in November 2022, with supervision provided by Reliabuild Services Ltd. The contract duration is set for two years, and payments are made in milestones.
“It is important to note that, like many projects in Nigeria, we are facing challenges due to price fluctuations. However, Fak Engineering & Construction Company Ltd remains committed to delivering quality work.
“Additionally, I would like to highlight that four projects were awarded simultaneously on Brass Island: the 3.2km Concrete Road, the Petroleum Tank Farm, the Atlantic Petroleum Refinery, and the Brass Fertilizer Company. Currently, the latter three projects are reported to be abandoned or idle, despite some receiving full payments
“. In contrast, Fak Engineering & Construction Company Ltd is actively working on the concrete road project.
“During his visit, the Honourable Minister focused on companies that have received full payments without delivering tangible results. His objectives for visiting the concrete road project included confirming assertions made by the consultancy firm, assessing the progress of work by Fak Engineering & Construction Company Ltd in line with the completion date set by the client, ensuring best practices of checks and balances, and making recommendations for improvement where necessary and Resolving any disputes arising from the project.
“I am pleased to report that the Honourable Minister was impressed with the quality of work completed thus far, describing it as the best concrete project in the South-South region. He urged the contractor to continue working diligently to avoid the fate of other abandoned projects.
“To conclude, Fak Engineering & Construction Company Ltd is actively engaged in the project, and it is important to clarify that there has been no 100% payment made. Our payments are strictly milestone-based, certified by the consultancy firm and confirmed by the NMDPRA.
“Companies that have received full payments without delivering results are currently under investigation by the EFCC.”
About Author
