Abia State Government has released N5 billion to contractors handling various road projects across the state to boost its dry season roads construction and rehabilitation programme.

The payment is coming on the heels of the recent flag-off of the reconstruction of

16 dilapidated roads in Aba, the state’s economic nerve centre.

Governor Theodore Orji said at a meeting with the contractors in the state capital, Umuahia, that the money was released to ensure that work progressed simultaneously across the three senatorial zones of Abia and that much is achieved before the rains set in again next year.

Orji stressed the need for the contractors to do quality work, warning that he would not hesitate to terminate the contracts of those who fail to perform.

“I want to achieve a lot in terms of road construction this dry season,” Orji told the contractors. He added that government would not tolerate laxity on the part of any contractor and urged those not interested in working for the state government to leave.

The governor said the warning had become necessary because experience has shown that some contractors after being mobilised, return to site without doing any meaningful job. “I want to see result this time around or get the contract of such contractors terminated,” he stated.

Orji sounded it clear that government would no longer tolerate the doing of earthwork alone without asphalting.

The governor assured that more funds would be made available to contractors who perform well, explaining that the next payment to them would be through Advanced Payment Guarantee (AVG) system in banks.

On behalf of the other contractors, Managing Director of New Idea Construction Company, Chief Benneth Emeka, commended the governor for mobilising them back to site and assured that they would do quality job.

•Photo: Abia Governor Theodore Orji.