14-10-09 The Cross River State Government has awarded contracts valued at N 1.6 bn to two companies for the electrification of rural areas in the three senatorial districts of the state.
Managing Director of the Cross River State Electrification Agency (CRSEA), Mr Daniel Asuquo, who announced the award of the contracts in Calabar, said the companies are News Engineering Nigeria Limited and Lilleker Brothers.

While handing over the contract documents to representatives of the companies, Asuquo said News Engineering will handle the electrification of rural communities in the Northern Senatorial District at the cost of N 519.8 mm as well as the electrification project for the Central Senatorial District with the contract value of N 660.5 mm.
Asuquo said the electrification projects for the Northern and Southern Senatorial Districts, which represent lots 1 and 2 respectively has a combined value of N 1.17 bn. He said Lilleker Brothers will handle the electrification projects in the Southern Senatorial District, which constitute Lot 3 at the contractual value of N 406.1 mm.

Asuquo said the award of the contracts to the companies by the state government for the electrification of the rural communities was done in full compliance with due process and transparency. He said the State carefully chose the contractors based on their track record and experience, as the State was not prepared to compromise on quality and timely execution of the projects.
According to the SEA Director General, "We want to state it categorically clear that this project has passed through due process. The companies are tested and they have the capacity and technical competence to complete the project in 9 months".

Asuquo said the award of the contracts represents the start of a major electrification project since the establishment of the Agency on January 15, 2008. He disclosed that more than 100 contractors bidded for the projects, but that only the two companies met the conditions for the execution of the rural electrification project.
He however warned the contractors that the State Government would not hesitate to sanction any of them who failed to meet the specifications of the contract, because of the importance the Government attach to the projects.

The Managing Director of News Engineering, Lady Josephine Nwaeze, said the company will meet the contract specifications to reciprocate the confidence of the State Government on the company.
The Project manger of Lilleker Brothers, Mr Probir Chakraverti, also said the company will deliver on the projects awarded the company.