Monimichelle is playing smart with clients

It was indeed interesting times last week as those who played central roles in the construction of the unfinished Birin-Kebbi Stadium tried everything possible to convince Nigerians that the NFF had almost nothing to do with the construction of the sport facility. Futile efforts were made to convince us that FIFA itself came down to […]

It was indeed interesting times last week as those who played central roles in the construction of the unfinished Birin-Kebbi Stadium tried everything possible to convince Nigerians that the NFF had almost nothing to do with the construction of the sport facility. Futile efforts were made to convince us that FIFA itself came down to Nigeria to build the stadium. Most of us know this is practically impossible, but those who think the rest of us are gullible continue to push the narrative that the NFF didn’t   misappropriate the $1.2 million from FIFA for the project.

However, what is of utmost importance to most of us is that the light that was shone on the Birin-Kebbi Stadium reminded us of the completely forgotten Ugborodo Stadium. So, even if in the end, nothing is done about the present state of the stadium in Kebbi, we are reminded that something worse had happened elsewhere in Delta and urgent steps must be taken to address it.

Although we are told that the NFF has no hand in the construction of facilities awarded to Nigeria by FIFA, it is already an open secret that a former president of the NFF and former FIFA Executive Committee member, Amaju Pinnick is at the centre of the controversially stalled Ugborodo Stadium. We all know that Pinnick’s NFF, with the approval of FIFA, engaged the services of a reputable sports facilities construction company, Monimichelle, owned by Mr Ebi Egbe, to build the stadium, but what we have in place of  a mini stadium is a dirty war over money approved and released by FIFA for the project.

While the NFF has since announced the termination of the contract awarded to Monimichelle, the chief executive officer of the company, who has since threatened legal action, is demanding the full payment to return to the site. In fact, while the NFF claimed it had paid $700,000, which is more than half of the contract sum, Egbe has acknowledged receipt for only $500,000, and in addition, alleged that the NFF indeed took back $200,000 in the name of tax.

Egbe insists that the deduction is illegal and must be reversed. So, for now, the project is stalled, but the construction company has expressed readiness to return to the site once the balance owed by the NFF is paid in full. In fact, Egbe has announced that despite the faceoff with his client, his construction equipment worth over N250 million is wasting away at the site in Ugborodo.

What is even more intriguing is the threat by the contractor to sue the NFF for contractual breaches and attempts to tarnish the hard-earned reputation of his company. For now, the NFF has not reacted to the threat by the company to sue, but what is certain is that the controversy is not going to end anytime soon.

In fact, when he appeared on ARISE TV’s Morning Show, Amaju Pinnick, who was the NFF president when the contract was awarded, insisted that the funds for the Ugbodoro Stadium were judiciously used. He, however, didn’t speak much on the abandoned project.

Meanwhile, the wrangling between Monimichelle and the NFF over Ugborodo Stadium construction is similar to what is happening between the company and the Benue State Government over the upgrade of the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi, which is stalled due to failure to make full payment.

After initial payments by the Benue State Government, first for renovation, and later, reconstruction of the stadium, work is at a standstill because the company is waiting for the balance of its money to complete the job. So, for more than three years now, Lobi Stars, whose home ground is the Aper Aku Stadium, are homeless. Like nomads, they have continued to wander from one adopted venue to another.

When I reflected on the two stalled projects – Ugborodo and Aper Aku Stadium –  one thing came to my mind: Egbe is simply playing smart to survive to overcome business hurdles. In all the disagreements or cases involving Monimichelle Sports Facilities Construction Company, no one has said that Egbe has collected full payment and absconded.

No wonder he is quick to threaten his accusers or customers with legal action. In Benue State, he openly accused the then commissioner for sports and top politicians of demanding bribes from him. And now, he has not only accused the NFF of corruption but threatening to sue anyone who attempts to damage his company’s reputation.

His critics may say his company is becoming synonymous with stalled projects, but from my observation, Egbe, who must have taken his time to study the delicate business environment in Nigeria, is only dealing with his clients in a smart way.

He has not hidden the fact that his jobs are money-based. Therefore, for him to deliver, you must first “impregnate” him by paying his money in full. It is obvious that he now works based on what he has been paid. This is to avoid unnecessary stories after he must have completed the job.

Personally, I wholeheartedly support the business strategy Egbe has adopted because most Nigerians don’t keep to contractual agreements. Today, thousands of indigenous contractors are suffering because they used their money to execute contracts and to be paid is proving impossible. Sometimes, contractors, especially those with low profiles, wait for their money till death. This is the type of risk a shrewd businessman like Egbe is not ready to take.

So, even as Monimichelle is being viewed in some quarters as a company that can easily abandon projects, a careful consideration of the issues may convince the critics that Egbe’s actions were triggered by unpalatable experiences in the hands of clients who refused to honour contractual agreements.

In any case, Egbe may have his shortcomings, but what is not in doubt is the quality of work his company delivers at every given opportunity. The company, which specialises in the design, construction and renovation of sports facilities to international standards, has proven its worth by producing high quality hybrid synthetic pitches that have earned praises from both FIFA and CAF.

Indeed, a visit to Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, Enyimba International Stadium and a host of other projects handled by the company will convince even diehard critics that Monimichelle is one of the best sports facilities construction companies in Africa.

However, despite the high quality of work the company is known for delivering, especially when clients play their part, it is necessary to advise Egbe to, as much as possible, avoid mistakes that can make nonsense of his widely acclaimed business knowledge and expertise.

Saying that the NFF rushed him into signing the contract on the day the bid was closing, is to say the least, ridiculous and unbefitting of his enviable pedigree.

In fact, I felt for him but laughed out loud when Egbe was quoted as saying he was tricked into believing that the stadium was to be sited in Warri South but was inexplicably moved to its present location, Ugborodo, an island in the Atlantic Ocean.

According to the report, he discovered the real site on the day it was to be handed over to him. By then, it was too late to back out. If this was the case, Mr Monimichelle certainly played into the hands of his clients and should take part of the blame.