He has been under fire from some ferocious opponents after it was revealed that Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu may spend between N3 billion and N5 billion to renovate the governor’s office in Calabar. The anticipated amount, according to architect and former state commissioner for lands Etubom Bassey Eyo Ndem, is not particularly concerning. He offers his thoughts on it in this conversation with Asare Asare. Excerpts!
What do you think about the Governor’s claim that he will spend N5 billion remodelling government buildings as an architect?
I can’t offer a general statement because I haven’t seen the Bill of Quantities, the Drawings, or the Scope of Work. The current exchange rate for N5 billion is $5,000,000.
Contrarily, I seem to recall that a nearby State governor’s lodge, constructed from the ground up, cost more than $56 million or N56 billion to build. As a result, the $5 million or less than 10% cost to restore a comparable Government office complex is not a ludicrously high figure.
But many argue that the governor shouldn’t spend money on his office when other issues require attention.
All governments have their own priorities. Not finishing one task does not exclude finishing others. Other than that, it’s not just his office. In one facility, hundreds of people labour in numerous departments.
Again, the office building was in a bad state of disrepair, forcing employees to put up with leaks, cracks, damaged sewage pipes and other issues. For example, some toilets had been blocked and sealed up for many months. More importantly, given the abundance of unauthorised connections in some offices, the electrical systems have turned into a fire hazard. Without this repair, there is a substantial risk of fire destroying important records and archives, which will undoubtedly cause significant controversy. So, much like many other things in the state, remodelling a government building is a top priority.
However, N5 billion is a sizable sum for renovations. How will this help the populace?
Instead than asking a layperson like me, please address your query to the appropriate parties. The amount may not be excessive, as I previously stated, depending on the size of the project. According to what I’ve read, however, the price would be between N3 billion and N5 billion, indicating that a contract price has not yet been established and the work will be completed in phases over a period of months rather than all at once for N5 billion.
What’s the advantage of having a positive, contemporary image of Cross River State, you might as well ask me? Alternatively, consider the advantages of providing government employees with a safe, sanitary, non-hazardous, and comfortable working environment. Although we criticise the police for their behaviour, have you visited some of their barracks? Do you also want the same for the employees of the governor’s office?
The Governor stated that it was being done for free but did not provide an exact figure. Will this put the State at risk of fraud by contractors?
Work done pro gratis is work done for a client who has a low income or little money to pay for your services. It is not unusual or brand-new. The recent Transition Committee actually completed all of its work pro gratis, or essentially for free. If the government had hired consulting companies like KPMG or Mackinsey, they would have been paid hundreds of millions of naira to complete the same task that those brave Cross Riverians performed without compensation.
There are numerous consulting and contracting facets to a complex renovation. In urgent situations like this, architects are motivated by their professional ethics to provide professional services in the public good without necessarily anticipating payment. I think it’s the same for related professions working in the construction sector, which explains the pro gratis work.
Then, is it not dangerous for a contractor?
It is a major risk for the Contractor, not the State, if a contractor promises to complete some aspects on a pro gratis basis. This is due to the fact that he lacks a contract and will lose in the event that there is a disagreement regarding the kind or calibre of the work that has been performed.
So who is going to evaluate the scope and quality of the work?
Of course, the appropriate Commissioner and his staff or the independent Consultants chosen by the government are involved. Only a few weeks ago were the Commissioners appointed. Give them some time so that you, the press, can, with justification, shine a spotlight on what they are doing since they are the government’s hands and feet and should be held accountable and responsible if things are slow in their particular industry.
