This group of People consist of Fathers, Brothers, Uncles, Mothers, Aunts, Sisters and so forth, it also includes friends. We know them, they are not strangers, they do not wear mask and of course they know us, they walk about like sheep but they are ravenous wolfs, seeking to devour the development and progress of our dear nation. Simply put they are the CONTRACTORS!

After a careful observation of what goes on with the projects being executed on behalf of the state. After an in depth look into most completed projects designed for the betterment of the people of Nigeria, I cannot help but cry FOUL! Cheap labour, cheap materials, shoddy structures with the life span of a gastrotrich.

If a person entrusted with the money of the State to serve and deliver quality work will have the propensity to deliver nonsense for our generation without consideration for the next generation, such a one should not be allowed to walk free in this country. It is time my people we all stand up and tell them enough is enough. We want sustainable development, we want quality and not quantity, and we will see to it that we get it.

You cannot fool us all the time, now we have seen and have become wise.
To me the following points expound the tragedy created by this criminal contractors who fill their pockets with monies meant for projects, as we explore this issues, let me state categorically that their cohorts in perpetuating this evil to Nigerians are equally guilty and will not go free.

The tragedy of the commons

There is a popular Igbo adage that the goat owned by the public suffers hunger the most and with high tendency to die faster. Unlike the goat individually owned which the owner takes good care of. Example of such miscreant attitude is easily demonstrated in public toilets, public schools compared to private schools, public hospitals compared to private hospitals. We naturally do not take care of what is collectively owned. Hence many contractors do not feel that the public deserve solid structures. They in securing this contracts are not prepared to do a good work, those in government positions of trust whose obligation it is to ensure that the right people get the work, and that the right work is done according to the specifics tendered, are the first to affect the project.

Certain percentages are mandatory illegally, whatever remnant left after the contractor also takes substantial amount is for the Nigerian people. Thus a substandard project is gladly commissioned by these thieves and the consequences is tragic. Is it not better my people that we drive on dusty road designed by nature, with the rain and flood understanding their natural course on the road, and both motorist and pedestrians conscious of the genuine path to follow? Instead of creating a modern high way of death, in no distant time pot holes are everywhere, and then prayers are even unable to save the innocent from the trap consciously created by this wicked contractors.

Lack of patriotism

A probe into this matter simply confirms lack of genuine love for this nation. Why then should we continue to entrust projects to those whose track record show expired works? For it is contrary to the principles of patriots to endow an enemy.
Any contractor whose works are dangerous, whose interest is not that of the Nigerian people is an Enemy.
Any threat to Nigeria’s peace, progress and stability requires the utmost allegiance of the faithful to combat it even with our last drop. Enough is enough of this lackadaisical handling of our nations finances. For me it should be seen as a glorious privilege to be awarded a contract to serve your fellow brothers and sisters, the present era, while retaining the future in mind.
One who desires to execute projects on behalf of the government must first love Nigeria with his heart, might and mind. The person should not put financial gain as the first motive, that person should seek to put up a structure that generations unborn will see and confess that such fellow was different from the rest. A passion to serve, to build up, to clothe our beloved nation with her true glory must fill our minds. When this is in place, I assure you, we shall see works that commensurate with the capital deployed , we shall witness structures capable to stand the test of time.

Greed

Covetousness is a sin. Nigeria as a religious nation teaches her people this principle. Why then do we forget that wealth acquired on earth will not proceed to the eternities with us? A good name is better than riches, time will teach those who failed to appreciate this truth a bitter lesson. Wealth acquired through integrity and hard work is a blessing to those who patiently made it, a blessing to their posterity and people.
When a greedy contractor takes money meant for building a good school for the Nigerian children to build a solid house for himself and family, so that he brags as a successful man, while endangering the lives of our children, causing financial loss to the state because the project will be repeated, will face the wrath of justice.
Greed leads to so many atrocities, and the ultimate outcome is devastating.
Government’s monitoring team should be above the temptation of bribes from contractors who are doing bad job. Get them to pay back every kobo, convert that their mansion to classrooms. Let the Nigerian children get the best education in public schools because if the money was well invested, it is the best still, they will have.

Loophole in Government

There are those of us today who are working in the public sector, I have a question for you: Have you served this country with all your heart despite the weakness in the system? Have you stood out from the rest because you do not condone corruption? Have you attempted to reform and bring about positive development in your little and humble capacity? If yes to this questions, then on behalf of the good people of this great nation Nigeria. We Thank you so much, We appreciate you, We love you. History will always vindicate the just.
If your answer is nay to the above questions, if your position is negative, We call upon you to change and restitute to us destitute of this nation. Your wrong choice has caused us damage, it has motivated some of us to seek the wrong path. Now live the rest of your life as a true civil servant, with utmost loyalty to the constitution. You only become the greatest when you serve genuinely not by how much you stole. We can and must reconstruct our approach to eliminate loophole, when you seize from taking percentages, when you stop giving contracts to unprofessional family members and friends but to those who clearly qualify, Nigeria will rise to its rightful place. Your choice today has infinite consequences to us, may our developmental projects be sustainable.

Nonchalant attitude from the civil society

We are in the democratic dispensation. The power of government lies in the hands of the people. Majority of projects approved by the state are built in communities. Many times local labour is incorporated. We may not be experts to understand all the technicalities but I know that the spirit of our ancestors and blood of our heroes will prompt us when a contractor is doing substandard job. Let us decide today in both word and action that we have liberated our selves from traditional bondage of laxity. That we shall not knowingly permit fake and counterfeit roads, hospitals or bridges in our communities. This battle against corrupt contractors will be won and the victory will be for the generations unborn, who can confidently say that our fathers sweat is not in vain. As they look back at monuments constructed decades before their birth, even their own posterity will exclaim with triumph that the fight against bad contractors was won at the grassroots level, yes at the community level.

May I conclude by reminding us that in one way or the other, we are contractors of one sort or the other. Many times we are giving opportunities by friends and family to serve but we fail to deliver according to promise. If you fail the people you know, what then shall you do to Nigeria?

Source: Chuks Ineh – chuksineh.com

Ehm m m choscharis them abi. Thank u sir.