By: Nwakaji Peace Martins
The joint Committees on Works and Health and Nutrition of the Niger State House of Assembly have instructed the immediate halt of the construction work at the State-owned Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) University Teaching Hospital in Minna due to non-compliance with the contract specifications.
During an oversight visit to the project in Minna, the Chairman of the House Committees, Arch. Suleiman Abubakar Gomna, and his counterpart for Health and Nutrition, Pharmacist Umar Nasir, issued the directive, deeming the project substandard.
Abubakar Gomna expressed disappointment over the inferior quality of the ongoing project, emphasizing that subpar work not only poses safety risks but also leads to inefficiencies in communication, and wastage of time, resources, and materials.
The legislator elaborated that robust quality control protocols enhance the effectiveness of construction projects and can set off a chain reaction of elevated standards, underscoring the critical importance of material testing to uphold specifications.
Pharmacist Umar Nasir, the Chairman of the House’s standing committee on health and Nutrition, highlighted the indispensable role of durability, strength, and quality of materials in ensuring the safety and longevity of construction structures, which can significantly influence the overall success of a construction endeavor.
Mohammed Lawal Aliyu, the Head of Project Management at Think Lab Group Limited, disclosed that the project comprises three phases, encompassing the renovation of existing structures, the construction of new ones, and the development of infrastructure such as roads, electrification, water supply, and the provision of medical equipment.
Reports indicate that the Think Lab Group, responsible for the project, has received an initial payment of N9 Billion from the state government to prevent any unethical practices, emphasizing that the company must adhere to the directives of the lawmakers to create a lasting architectural masterpiece.
