From DAHIRU SULEIMAN IBI,

Chairman Ibi Elders Committee, Ibi- Taraba state.

If Member's of the House Committee On Public Account's in the House of Representatives Could Raise an Eye Brow upon the lackerdisical attitudes in the execution, and Non completion of the N1.4 billion Road contracts projects on scheduled in meeting the award of the aforementioned contractual agreement in Kaduna state to the extend of surmmoning the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works, and all parties involved to appear before it to clarify some certain issues associated to the smooth completion of the projects as scheduled before the House for the sake of clarity in putting records straight, I see no reason Why such Investigations could not be extended on our Elected Senators and Rep.Members from Taraba state in what stops them in seeing to the completion of the abandoned Federal Govt N57 billion Ibi Bridge Project's, which was awarded in 2020 to RCC Construction Firm and suddenly abandoned for over twenty months now.

It is most disheartening to note upon all the struggle and challenges faced by over 500,000 populace of the ancient Ibi town in the last five decades due to lack of access road network situation which cut-off the town to its neighboring state's of Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe and Kano state's, the inhabitants of Ibi had to work round the clock in making positive moves within their limitations calling for the attention of the Federal government in seeing to the erection of a standard bridge on River Benue via Ibi to ease means of transportation in crossing the ancient town situated on River Benue , until the coming on board of the past administration of former President Buhari who approved the award of the bridge at a cost of N57 billion.

Initially In 2019, President Buhari made a promise to build a bridge crossing the Benue River in Ibi LGA, Taraba state. This promise was aimed at boosting the economic and educational development of the state and improving transportation and trade in the area. The 2.3-kilometer Ibi bridge, along with an access road of 8 kilometers, was awarded by the Federal Government in 2020 at a cost of N57 billion.

However, the construction of the bridge has been stalled due to lack of commitment by the Buhari Administration. While the construction is ongoing, little has been done since the start of 2022 to expedite the construction, and

the project is not expected to meet the expected timeline set by the administration for the second quarter of this year.

The completion of the Ibi bridge would be a significant development for the Ibi community and Taraba state in general. It would facilitate transportation and trade, provide easier access to schools such as the Federal University in Wukari, and boost the local economy, which is predominantly based on farming and fishing.

Said president Buhari then, The people of Taraba state deserve better, and it is essential for the Federal Government to prioritize the completion of the FG Ibi bridge Construction, unfortunately the projects was left to suffer an artificial setbacks from.inception of the projects at it's initial stage due to bureaucracy and government monopoly.

This alleged Monopoly derail the Buhari Administration's lack of commitment to the construction of the Ibi bridge situation which resulted in slow progress which rated “Brokelpllo"The Ibi bridge if completed would be a significant development not for Ibi community and Taraba state in general, It would also facilitate transportation and trade, provide easier access to schools such as the Federal University in Wukari, and boost the local economy, which is predominantly based on farming and fishing.

Southern Zone District on the.matter, the Distinguished Senator has clear the air as saying “Whil fore I appreciate the timely, comprehensive, and concise nature of your communication, allow me to clarify some key points concerning the Ibi Bridge project. This is imperative because we were not elected to remain silent on matters of significant importance, such as the Ibi bridge construction. matter receives the desired attention.

Contrary to the usual practice, we did not receive official communication from Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) through the Community Liaison Officer about the impediments faced at the site. Normally, we would collaborate with RCC to address these challenges promptly. However, in this instance, we have not received any direct notification or communication on this matter. Nevertheless, as Senator representing the entire Southern Zone, I have proactively taken steps, in collaboration with Hon. Prince Ayuba Zaku Dampar, member representing Wukari/Ibi Federal Constituency, to see that construction work on the bridge resumes urgently.

Consequently, we had a meeting with the Hon. Minister for Works, Engr. David Umahi, where we explained the situation at the Ibi Bridge site and appealed for additional funds to expedite the construction. The Minister has assured us of his commitment to work with RCC for the successful

completion of the project. Impeachable sources close to the Federal Ministry of Works has attributed the none compliance of the Construction firm back to site to lack of released of adequate fund to facilitate the completion of the projects.

To RCC what it demands to complete the whole project’s was N7b out of which N2.5b not even N3b was approved, even though not that N2.5b was released to RCC only N1.5b was said to offered the amount which was outrightly rejected as too meagre for a giant projects of this magnitude. Whatever it might be, We look forward for the actualization of this viable Federal Government Project.

Despite the purchased of all the needful facilities, and take - up of the contracts by the awarded firm of RCCC only to allow this huge investment to died for unnatural deaths uncompleted, leaving the projects to terminate even below fifty percent work completion.

Unbehalf of Ibi Community, we are calling on His Excellency, Engineer David Umahi, the Honorable Minister of Works and Housing to use his good offices in coming to our aid in seeing to the completion of the Ibi Bridge Construction for our collective goods.