The acting Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Ubaka Chukwugekwu Eugene, has been accused of ‘blocking’ the payment of a N9.8 million contract awarded to Special Events and Consult Services Ltd.
The contract, which was awarded on May 14, 2024, involved planting coconut trees, palm trees, and other economic trees within the polytechnic premises.
According to documents obtained by our Correspondent, the contract award letter clearly stated that the company would be paid N9.8 million upon satisfactory completion of the work. The payment was supposed to cover the job fee, Value Added Tax (VAT), With-Holding Tax (WHT), and Stamp Duty.
The letter states, “Please note that a Certificate of Job Completion shall be issued to you by the Director of Works Services before payment will be effected,” the contract signed by the Bursar noted.
After duly completion of the contract, Special Event’s and Consult Services Ltd, through a letter dated 8th June, 2024, wrote to the Polytechnic requesting payment to enable him pay suppliers of the trees that were planted in the Polytechnic premises.
The letter signed by chairman of the firm, Amb. Cletus Amaraegbu, reads in part: “Following the satisfactory completion of the above job which has been inspected and certificate of Job completion duly issued by the Director of Works Services, we hereby request for the payment of the job fee of Nine Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira (N9,800,000.00) which covers Value Added Tax (VAT), With- Holding Tax (WHT) and Stamp Duty.
“We must confess and express that working with your institution was a delightful one, as the institution, through the management team, has developed a system characterised with utmost integrity, high level of transparency and smooth administration. It was really a pleasure working with you and your team and hope to do same in the nearest future.”
On June 13, 2024, the institution, through the office of the Director of Physical Planning, issued the firm Job Completion Certificate.
The certificate signed by Qs. Dr. Umezinwa Nnamdi Joe, states: “Following your satisfactory completion of the job in respect of the attached job order FPO/BUDGET/WKS./24/VOL.1/009 dated 14th May, 2024 for planting of coconut trees, palm trees and other economic trees in the Polytechnic premises, I hereby issue you with this Job Completion Certificate for the payment of the sum of Nine Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira (N9,800,000.00) only.”
However, though the letter for payment has been signed and the Bursar directed to pay the contractor, the firm alleged that the newly appointed acting Rector has withheld assenting to the payment after his predecessor was removed.
A staff of the Special Event’s And Consult Services Ltd who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the person that supplied the seedlings to their firm is currently being detained in Awka, by the police.
Lamenting the development, the staff said that the new Rector had queried why his predecessor didn’t pay the money before he was removed.
“We signed a contract of N10 million with the former Rector over his Operation Go Green Project in Federal Polytechnic Oko.
“We contacted Agricultural Development Project, Awka, that supplied the seedlings and Imo State Governor sent the Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Agriculture to flag it off.
“The project contract states that payment would be made as soon as the contract is completed and the Certificate of Completion issued. The contract has been completed and Certificate of Completion issued to us and the Rector has instructed the Bursar to pay.
“Before the payment, the Rector was removed and another Rector was appointed.
“The new Rector is asking why the former Rector did not pay the money, saying he would not pay.
“Now, the Agricultural Project in Anambra (Awka) that supplied us the coconut seedlings has arrested the person that supplied the seedlings and detained him, threatening to take him to court if they didn’t pay at the end of this month.
“The problem now is that the young man in Awka that supplied the seedlings is still being detained up till now,” the staff decried.
Meanwhile, when the Rector, Dr. Ubaka was contacted for reaction, he declined comment after demanding to know the identity of the reporter.
