…Public outrage grows as contractor allegedly vanishes after receiving half of project funds.
By Our reporter
Enugu stakeholders, including civil society organisations, advocacy groups, and concerned citizens, are demanding the immediate recovery of ₦5.7 billion in public funds disbursed for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools across the state. The contract, awarded to Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited in July 2024, was intended to modernize the state’s educational infrastructure through the creation of tech-enabled, eco-friendly learning environments.
Under the agreement, the Enugu State Government paid 50 percent of the contract sum ₦5.7 billion as an advance to the contractor, with a six-month deadline for project completion. However, more than a year later, many of the proposed school sites reportedly remain in a state of abandonment, with little or no meaningful construction work carried out.
Investigations reveal that while the contractor initially provided a performance bond from Jaiz Bank, the ₦5.7 billion was eventually paid into a Zenith Bank account linked to the company. Stakeholders and legal analysts argue that this undermined the safeguards meant to protect public funds, raising serious concerns about accountability and due process.
The Enugu State Government has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the contractor’s handling of the project. Officials claim the company became unresponsive, failed to attend multiple oversight meetings, and did not provide adequate justification for its failure to deliver on the terms of the contract. As a result, the government has terminated the agreement, recovered the affected project sites, and reassigned them to alternative contractors.
In response to the allegations, the Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto, Olasijibomi Ogundele, denied any wrongdoing. He described the situation as a contractual misunderstanding rather than an act of fraud. Ogundele attributed the delays to a combination of economic instability, inflation, foreign exchange fluctuations, and manpower shortages. He maintained that efforts were made to mobilize workers and materials, but that circumstances beyond his control hindered progress.
Nevertheless, many in Enugu are not convinced. Civil society organisations and local stakeholders under the banner of the Enugu Patriots have called for a full investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They are demanding the complete recovery of the funds and, if necessary, the prosecution of any individuals or entities found to have mismanaged or diverted public resources.
This isn’t just a failed contract it’s a betrayal of trust, said one community leader. “Our children were supposed to benefit from modern classrooms and better education. Instead, we’re left with empty sites and missing funds.
In response to the growing public pressure, the Enugu State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving educational infrastructure. Officials have pledged to continue with the Smart Green School initiative using qualified contractors and to institute stronger monitoring systems to ensure transparency, quality, and timely delivery.
As the situation unfolds, many observers believe this case could become a defining test of Enugu’s stance on corruption, transparency, and project management. The public continues to watch closely, hoping that justice will be served and that lessons will be learned to prevent similar incidents in the future.
