Uniuyo VC Berates Erring Contractors

 ....Commends FENS properties ltd for timely execution of project

By Henry Nkom

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Nyaudo Ndaeyo has expressed disatisfaction with the snail speed at which some contractors and consultants handling projects in the university execute jobs awarded to them.

He made this known on Tuesday during the handing over/ taking over of a one storey building constructed by Fens Properties ltd to host eight  offices and two lecture theatres for the faculty of environmental studies at the permanent site, Nwaniba.

Prof. Ndaeyo while commending  Fens property ltd for delivering the project within time stipulated in the contractual agreement, noted with displeasure that there were other contractors who have unduly delayed jobs awarded to them in the university

Such contractors Ndaeyo noted have already shot themselves on the foot and discredited their firms

Although he did not make public actions that the university may consider taking against such erring contractors, he added that " I think they are punishing themselves already . When you give somebody a job and he is not doing it, I think that's enough punishment "

The Vice Chancellor who tasked other contractors handling jobs in the University to emulate Fens Properties ltd  expressed satisfaction with the company's capacity to independently meet set target with minimal or no  supervision, and without demanding for variation 

According to him "Fens Properties as a company is doing very well. I can boldly describe you as a faithful servant. You have been able to work with little or no supervision, you have not made us your slave- masters. We thank God for having this kind of contractor to work with.

I want to encourage other contractors who have been given the privilege to work for us to emulate this company,  Fens Properties. I say so because even in the face of the challenges they faced, they never one day asked for extension. I salute you. 

"They took over this site on the 13th of September last year, and by my mathematics, it's not up to eight months.  But some contractors have been given contracts for three years, some since 2014/20l5 and they are still on site. 

"I hope and pray that when Fens will have another opportunity to work with us, they would not develop cold feet. I am happy with them because they made use of good, seasoned consultants who will go to look for what is wrong and not what is right.

"Their engineers are those that can stand the test of time anywhere, nationally and internationally. That is why when I drive pass some of these roads constructed by HENSEK, I feel fine that Nigerian engineers can do things. You don't need to go and bring in people to come and work for you. That is why they were trained.

"I am using this opportunity to encourage  other institutions and even the government to make use of Nigerian engineers so that they can deliver and gain experience in the process,"

Prof Ndaeyo tasked the faculty of Environmental Studies to occupy the fully equipped facility on or before May 15,  urging the Dean , staff and students to protect and maintain the facility to ensure it is durable and enjoyed even by future generations. 

 

Earlier, the Managing Director, Fens Properties Nig Ltd, Mr Michael Udofia who said the project was awarded on September 13, 2022 with a six-month delivery mandate, attributed the  successful and timely delivery of the project to the decision making policy of the company, prioritization of worker's welfare and project management capacity of the company.

Udofia, however expressed delight that the initial challenges posed by both soil test and cash crunch could not impede the determination of the firm to deliver quality, timely and cost  effective projects to the university

The Managing Director appreciated the University of Uyo for the opportunity to serve and promised not to take future opportunities for granted. 

"I want to say that the completion of quality, timely and cost efficient projects are in our DNA and I still look forward to serving Nigeria in this capacity. We constructed the University of Uyo Filling station and the Law Faculty- the biggest building in this campus," he said. 

Giving a breakdown of the project, the Site Engineer for Fens Properties Nig. Ltd, Engr David Umoette said the three arms Lecture Theatre has six lecture halls with each designed to accommodate no fewer than 100 students, eight offices and a courtyard for natural ventilation and lighting. 

He attributed the few weeks delay on delivery to the  soil test which revealed the soil capacity to have been below estimate, hence the need to have such corrected before progress could be made. 

In his remarks, the Secretary, Budget Monitoring of the Presidential Needs Assessment Intervention, Barr Otu Etukudo announced that the project was the first to have been completed and delivered in record time  on the intervention programme. 

"We thank the contractors for not putting the University to shame. We sincerely hope that the project will be effectively used". He said

Highpoint of the event was the inspection of building and facilities by the Vice Chancellor and management team of the University.

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