Community members call for investigation into alleged sabotage of Ibi Bridge project
Story from Dahiru SULEIMAN
Disturbed by the series of financial and economic sabotage of public utilities meant for the construction of Ibi Bridge in Ibi LGA of Taraba State, a platform of Ibi concerned citizens has called for in-depth investigations into the mismanagement of materials.
In a statement signed by the spokesman of the platform, Comrade Salihu Ibi, said “Upon all the giant stride of the federal government in seeing to the erection of a befitting multi billion Naira bridge on river Benue via ancient town of Ibi, as a means of bringing succor in the provision of good roads to boost transportation network, some unpatriotic citizens are sabotaging such efforts.
The platform accused some officials of RCC of being in the habit of conniving with other disgruntled elements and some security personnel attached to the scene of the projects in sabotaging the project, by stealing and disposing of construction materials at a give away price.
The statement also revealed that the dubious characters siphoned and diverted large consignments of diessel and later sold it illegally.
More reports indicates that over nine months now, some disgruntled workers of RCC with some security officials have successfully diverted large consignments of diessel running into sixty to eighty liters almost on a daily basis.
Other affected working tools of the projects which were disposed of in large consortiums include large tonnes of cements and iron rods.
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Similarly, the statement revealed another shady deal in the payment of compensation money by the RCC Construction Firm to farmers, whose farmlands were affected with the bridge construction.
Management of the firm agreed to involve both the officials of Ibi Local Government Council, and the Emirate Council as supervising authorities for honesty, fairness and equity during the payment processes.
However, the farmers were paid partially, and lump sum of the compensation funds were shared amongst both officials of the council and that of Ibi Emirate Council.
Reports has indicated that some of the affected senior councillors of Ibi Emirate Council were faced with series of castigations, and public embarrassments emanating from the aggrieved farmers, while some of the aggrieved members are threatening to take legal actions.
The statement added, “We the concern citizens of Ibi Local Government Council do call on the federal government as a matter of urgency to carry out in-depth investigations.
However, all efforts to reach the officials of RCC, and that of Ibi Emirate Council for further comments prove abortive.
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