DAILY POST
Recent developments in the ongoing dispute between Ronchess Global Resources Plc and the Kaduna State Government have unveiled a number of inaccuracies, particularly regarding the purported involvement of Pastor Adeolu Adeboye, a director at Ronchess.
Ronchess, a privately owned, internationally focused construction enterprise, has executed multiple infrastructure projects for the state, including the construction of the State High Court Road, the Government Guest House, Sir Kashim Ibrahim House Road, the State House Road, the re-modelling of the Muritala Square, Race Course Kaduna and Parking Lots, and more. These projects were completed and certified by the Kaduna State Government, with Ronchess receiving Certificates of Completion for their work.
However, controversy erupted when Sahara Reporters published an article on August 28, 2024, falsely implicating Pastor Adeolu Adeboye about the contracts awarded and neglected. Ronchess, in response, clarified that the director was only appointed a full year after the contracts in question were awarded. The company further explained that these contracts, including significant road projects under the Kaduna Urban Renewal Road Component and the Zaria Urban Renewal Road Component, were awarded after a competitive bidding process.
The company has also refuted the assertion that some projects were abandoned, stating that specific contracts, such as the PAN Drive Road and the Kofar Dokka bridge with Cloverleaf Interchange Road, are still pending due to the government’s failure to provide compensation to homeowners for the demolition of properties necessary to commence construction or failed to release funds for the completion.
Ronchess noted that the total value of the Kaduna Roads Projects was initially N10,962,393,459.76, which was later revised to N15,393,429,595.10 due to inflation and additional work. Similarly, the Zaria Roads Projects’ contract sum was revised from N8,739,403,114.74 to N17,262,790,888.60. Despite the financial strain, Ronchess continued to execute the projects, even sourcing additional funds from its resources when the Kaduna State Government delayed payments for over six months.
In a statement released to the press, the company said, “For over 6 months, there were accumulated unpaid invoices (i.e. from April to October 2022), but Ronchess kept sourcing for funds to execute the contract. Ronchess continued to execute the contracts until the Kaduna State Government failed to pay Ronchess the sum quoted in the Certificate Valuation 10 presented. The said sum of N1, 391, 782, 486. 45 on Certificate Valuation 10 was never paid to Ronchess even after the Kaduna State Government consultants inspected the executed/completed projects carried out by Ronchess”.
Consequently, Ronchess instituted Suit No.: KDH/KAD/594/2024 at the High Court of Kaduna State. In response, the state’s House of Assembly created and issued a probe report while the above court action was pending. Not relenting, the Kaduna State Government again resorted to harassing the Directors of Ronchess with Police and officers of EFCC on civil issues already submitted to the Court for adjudication.
The company said it has taken legal action to protect its directors, securing an interim order from the Federal High Court in Lagos restraining the EFCC and the Police from arresting them. Despite this, the Kaduna State Government continues to pursue these unfounded allegations.
The company’s spokesperson stated, “It is imperative for the public to understand that Pastor Adeolu Adeboye was not involved in the bidding or award of any contracts with the Kaduna State Government. His appointment as a board member in 2021 occurred after these contracts were awarded, and any attempt to link him to these contracts is baseless. The ongoing legal actions between Ronchess and the Kaduna State Government, are rooted in a civil contract dispute – nothing more.”
