Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) has served a 15-day ultimatum on M/S Vipe Enterprises for “non-completion of work and compromising the quality of work” of NH-29 from Central jail 4th Mile to Atu Ghoki, Hozukhe, Niuland (Zubza river).
In letter to chief engineer (Roads & Bridges), WSH president Shikaho Zhimomi and general secretary Vikato Shikhu Achumi alleged that the firm has completely failed to complete the work within the allotted time frame despite extension of time for the Niuland road.
WSH said the project was sanctioned by the R&B department under Phase-II SASCE 2021-22 (from 4th Mile to Atu Gokhi Hozukhe village), the lifeline for people of Niuland district and adjacent Wokha, Tseminyu and Kohima districts.
WSH said that Ato Area GBs union had taken up the issue which called for a road bandh in the direction of Niuland under their jurisdiction a few months ago. However, WSH said that the firm never acknowledged the request of Ato Area GBs union and disregarded the work.
In response to the situation, WSH said it had intervened and took up the issue and called for a joint coordination meeting on July 13, 2023 in Hozukhe village with representatives from Ato Area GBs union led by president Sheyipu Zhimomi, Niuland district administration led by EAC (Hq) Vitoka Yepthomi, EE Dimapur Inahoto Sema and WSH president Shikaho Zhimomi. However, WSH said the contractor failed to turn up and instead, instructed the road supervisor and site engineer to represent him.
At the meeting, a joint resolution was adopted and in accordance with the resolution, it was resolved that work was to be completed by August 31, 2023 as per the 2nd Extension of Time (EoT) granted by CE’s office. However, WSH said the concerned contractor began working only for a short period of time before ceasing all work as of this date, for reasons known to the firm.
WSH said a fact-finding team led by WSH general secretary conducted an inspection on September 5, 2023, but oddly discovered that the ongoing work was left unfinished. During the course of inspection, WSH said not only was the work left unfinished, but the already completed components of the works were found to be in an appalling condition, demonstrating bad workmanship.
WSH therefore, requested the CE (R&B) to look into the matter at the earliest “in order to avoid any unfavourable nasty situations”. WSH demanded that the work be carried out right away without sacrificing quality in accordance with the DPR’s specifications. WSH said if this failed to work it will, as an apex and responsible organization of Niuland, Chümoukedima, and Dimapur district, resort to legal action, which might result in the firm being blacklisted or “even closure of R&B office, Dimapur division, if necessary,” the hoho warned.
WSH also requested CE office to refrain from releasing the remaining balance of the bill to the firm without first obtaining NoC from WSH.