Contrary to reports making the rounds that Imo state government has not paid contractors handling various road projects in the state, records emanating from the Ministry of Works have revealed that the state government has so far paid the whopping sum of N13,257,981,498.10 to the contractor.
The records also show that total roads project awarded by the state government stood at N45, 032,835,605.07 while the unpaid balance is N24, 426,913,260.61.
While the average payment represents over 30% of the total contract sum, it was however uncovered that some contractors fraudulently received more that the worth of their contract sum.
Sources hint that a company known as JPROS handling the construction Warehouse-Orlu-Odunze-Aba Road, Oparanozie-Umezurike Street and Amaigbo Street-Old Nekede Road at N1, 150,000,000 received N1,450, 000,000.
Meanwhile, Gov. Rochas Okorocha has directed all the contractors to return to site and ensure completion of their jobs now the rains are over.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Ebere Uzoukwa, the governor warned that with the huge sum already committed into various roads project in the state, his administration will not hesitate to deal ruthlessly with any contractor that undermines the effort of the state government to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
He reiterated the commitment of the state government to fulfill its obligation by ensuring that payments are regularly made to contractors in line with the contract terms.