The Rising Peoples’ Party (RPP) demanded that the Executive Engineer (EE) of the Nagaland Public Works Department (NPWD) Roads and Bridges, Phek Division revoke the Completion Certificates issued for constructing three roads in the district alleging that they are based on false claims.
The issue stems from a contractor’s submission of these Completion Certificates in an affidavit to the High Court in Kohima. The contractor, in possession of these certificates, has reportedly asserted that three road projects are almost complete. However, the RPP vehemently disputes this claim, considering it a deliberate attempt to mislead the court.
The RPP questioned the motivation behind the EE’s issuance of these certificates and reminded how in April 2022, the RPP filed a First Information Report (FIR) in the Meluri Police Station against the then EE and the contractor for a fraudulent 100% Completion Certificate issued by the former.
“Given the background of massive fraudulent withdrawal amounting to Rs. 92, 39,27,000, the present E.E. should have been careful and circumspect enough not to stir the hornet’s nest given the sensitivity of the case,” RPP said.
In the most recent Completion Certificates, according to RPP, the present EE has certified that the “Akhen to Starlake” (1st Work Order) project is 90% completed as of 9 September 2023.
However, this claim, according to RPP, is blatantly false and argued that the earth-cutting work remains incomplete, and the entire road remains un-motorable even after the lapse of 12 years.
Regarding the “Lephori to Molhe Post” (2nd Work-order) project, the Completion Certificate states that it is 75% complete, despite the fact that work on this stretch has not yet started. “How can the road be 75% completed when work on this stretch is yet to start? The E.E. is requested to educate himself by visiting the area and check the overlapping of the projects works which has led to this particular work being abandoned,” the RPP said.
Lastly, the “T.01 (Akash Bridge) to Kanjang” project’s Completion Certificate asserts that 93% of the work is complete. According to the RPP, this claim is far from the truth.
“Out of the 38 km work project, at least 40% is yet to be black-topped. Apart from the lipstick blacktopping, the contractor is yet to build culverts, retaining and breast walls, and side drains. So how did the E.E. arrive at the 93% figure?” the RPP asked.
The RPP further accused the EE of issuing the Completion Certificates with malafide intent. They argued that the public of Meluri has suffered due to corruption and delays in the completion of vital road projects.
“Roads which should have been completed within 18 months have stretched to 12 years and instead of expediting the matter, that he has become a stumbling block is a matter of condemnation,” stated the RPP.
The RPP called for immediate rectification and withdrawal of the Completion Certificates from the High Court in Kohima adding that failure to comply may result in a formal complaint filed against the EE.