Eko Bridge: Reps deputy spokesman on Umahi’s decision to import equipment worth €1.2 million says it’s shocking.

Eko Bridge: The deputy spokesman for Umahi’s decision to import equipment worth €1.2 million says it’s shocking.

The Deputy Spokesman, House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has faulted the move by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, to import construction equipment worth €1.2 million to rehabilitate the Eko Bridge in Lagos State.

GISTS VILLA recalls that the Minister, in a statement issued on Sunday by the Deputy Director of Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Clement Ezeorah, said equipment worth €1.2 million was needed to carry out rehabilitation work on the bridge.

Reacting, Agbese, who spoke on the executive and legislative relationship on MaxFM in Lagos on Wednesday, questioned how such a whopping sum of money would be spent on only one bridge.

Agbese urged the former governor of Ebonyi State to come clean about the deal since he shouldn’t be the one importing the equipment needed for the repair of the bridges.

He said, “As lawmakers with oversight functions, we find it shocking that the Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, is talking about importing equipment to fix the Eko Bridge. That singular declaration set off alarm bells.

“There are so many questions. Is the equipment for only the Eko Bridge, or can it be repurposed to fix other bridges in need of repairs? Is the €1.2m for the equipment captured in the budget and properly appropriated? Why is he the one importing the equipment for a bridge that has either been or would be awarded to a contractor?

“Is that the best use of government time and taxpayers’ money? Will the proposed importation comply with the Procurement Act? Is there compliance with existing land legislation? These are just a few of the questions that the Minister has to answer”.