Local Government Councils in Katsina State have been advised to desist from paying full payment on projects awarded to contractors before they finish the job.
Special Adviser Department of Local Government Inspectorate Hon. Lawal Rufa’i Safana gave the advice shortly after an inspection visit to Matazu and Musawa local government areas.
The S A inspected the level of Staff Quarters construction at Karaduwa, Sayaya, and Gwarjo, as well as Tugen Zuri and Garu health facilities in Matazu and Musawa LGAs respectively.
Having gone through the projects in Matazu and Musawa LGAs, Hon. Lawal Safana observed that the projects have peculiar problems.
“These problems that I have come to understand, are problems that emanate from the system in the local government, and there those that are associated with the Contractors,” he said.
The Special Adviser however advised local councils that whenever a Contractor was paid 40 or 50% mobilisation, nothing else should be given to him until he finishes the job.
He also charged Contractors to stop buying contract over and over, as according to him, a contract that was bought by four different Contractors will make the contract to suffer.
“Local Government Councils should ensure that any contractor that is given job must not sell it by one step and that must also be with the consent of the local government…,” he added
Hon. Lawal Safana also advised Contractors to be very careful to study the Bill of Quantity very well to ensure what they can do before they begin the job to avoid any unwanted complaint, this, according to him, is one of the reasons why he invited the contractors handling such contracts in Matazu LGA as they virtually have the same problem of completion.
On the quality of the job, the Special Adviser registered satisfaction particularly on that of Garu Village in Musawa LGA, insisting that other contractors must brace up.
He noted the lack of adequate staffing in some of the Maternal and Child Health Centre, he said, “I think one of the advice that we will give to the government is to ensure that the replacement of other staff in the local government system is moved to health sector…The Hospital in Tugen Zuri, even the In-Charge is a Casual Staff. We want to ensure at least these casual staff are given full employment using replacement, as local government staff retire…”