26/04/2025
I once recovered 450k for my client from a supplier who shortchanged him 40 tons of chippings.This is just one among many of such incidents. Let me tell you what happened?
My client had paid for five trucks of 30 tons of chippings.
The supplier was bringing 22 tons in each of his trips instead of the 30 tons which was paid for. Of course, only a few people know what a ton is, how much more 30 tons.
What they know is "yes the chipping has been brought" . But they can never ascertain the quantity of the material brought. It is not their fault, they are not professionals and they are not skilled at that.
Note that in my bill of quantities, I have estimated that 6 trucks, ie 180 tons will do the entire construction.
After our wood formwork was ready and the reinforcement bars well laid and getting ready for the casting of the slab. I went to inspect the chippings on the ground to ascertain if it would be enough to achieve casting of the entire slab and its beams without waiting for another order. I realized that it won't be enough.
I flashed back, that was the fifth truck we were using and it was almost exhausted. I called my client and asked him how much chipping he was paying for. I wanted to be sure before I accuse anybody. He confirmed to me that it was 30 tons he was paying for.
I said ok, thank you, sir. I will get back to you.
I called my foreman and told him that this supplier was shortchanging my client. This chipping brought to us cannot be 30 tons. If it is, there is no how at this level, we will be having this quantity left on the ground.
I gave the supplier a master-class experience by calling his driver first before calling him. I called the driver of the truck.
Me: Good morning Chief, It is the Engineer on the line from so so so site, Abeg how many tons u de carry come site?
Driver: Ah, Engineer, nah you get this number?
Me: Yes nah me, how many tons you do carry come site.?
Driver: Engineer nah 22 ton.
Me: Nobe 30 ton?
Driver: Nooo, my motto no fit to carry 30 tons. Oga know nah.
Me: ok. Thank you! E be like say u go bring another one for us oo. I cut the call. I called my foreman and told him what happened.
Remember, that my projections in the bill of quantities are under attack due to this shortchanging by some unscrupulous elements.
I said 6 trucks of 30 tons and now, at the fifth truck, everyone's eye is clear that even the sixth one will never complete it.
There are so many reasons why I should intervene:
One of the most paramount reasons is the need to save my material projection skills. What will my client say if my material projection is far below what he budgeted. It will speak low of my experience and expertise as this may affect future engagements.
I called my client and asked him to call his supplier and ascertain how many tons he was bringing to the site. He did and called me back and confirmed it is 30 tons according to the man.
I said ok, good. Call him back and tell him that his driver said it is 22 tons he is bringing to the site. So in that case they owe us 8 tons x 5 times they have dropped chipping on site.
That will amount to 40 tons. My client went gaga! A senior military officer in the Nigerian Navy.
He called his supplier and ordered him to bring the 50 tons within 48 hours OR.........
When a man moving with 12 soldiers behind him gives you this kind of order when you are guilty as charged If you do not develop BP, mak I hear.
The cost of 40 tons then was 440k with the transportation to the site. That was 2021.
Unfortunately, the supplier was someone he trusted so much, the man was in charge of material supplies, sand, chippings, reinforcement bars and all that. Not that he was the one selling them oo. He is an aged man in his early sixties, a truck driver carrying building materials in a building material market. The same village as my client. That is how he broke the trust.
The man started pleading for him to be given time so that he could balance the money.
A lot happened afterwards... A lot.
What I am saying in essence. Integrity is a very scarce currency. And this is what we possess at Jehbros Contractors
If you engage us in your project, we will clothe your project with honesty, transparency and quality delivery.
We do not take what does not belong to us or associate ourselves with persons who perpetrate such acts on the construction site.
Above all, we give value for your money.I once recovered 450k for my client from a supplier who shortchanged him 40 tons of chippings.This is just one among many of such incidents. Let me tell you what happened?
My client had paid for five trucks of 30 tons of chippings.
The supplier was bringing 22 tons in each of his trips instead of the 30 tons which was paid for. Of course, only a few people know what a ton is, how much more 30 tons.
What they know is "yes the chipping has been brought" . But they can never ascertain the quantity of the material brought. It is not their fault, they are not professionals and they are not skilled at that.
Note that in my bill of quantities, I have estimated that 6 trucks, ie 180 tons will do the entire construction.
After our wood formwork was ready and the reinforcement bars well laid and getting ready for the casting of the slab. I went to inspect the chippings on the ground to ascertain if it would be enough to achieve casting of the entire slab and its beams without waiting for another order. I realized that it won't be enough.
I flashed back, that was the fifth truck we were using and it was almost exhausted. I called my client and asked him how much chipping he was paying for. I wanted to be sure before I accuse anybody. He confirmed to me that it was 30 tons he was paying for.
I said ok, thank you, sir. I will get back to you.
I called my foreman and told him that this supplier was shortchanging my client. This chipping brought to us cannot be 30 tons. If it is, there is no how at this level, we will be having this quantity left on the ground.
I gave the supplier a master-class experience by calling his driver first before calling him. I called the driver of the truck.
Me: Good morning Chief, It is the Engineer on the line from so so so site, Abeg how many tons u de carry come site?
Driver: Ah, Engineer, nah you get this number?
Me: Yes nah me, how many tons you do carry come site.?
Driver: Engineer nah 22 ton.
Me: Nobe 30 ton?
Driver: Nooo, my motto no fit to carry 30 tons. Oga know nah.
Me: ok. Thank you! E be like say u go bring another one for us oo. I cut the call. I called my foreman and told him what happened.
Remember, that my projections in the bill of quantities are under attack due to this shortchanging by some unscrupulous elements.
I said 6 trucks of 30 tons and now, at the fifth truck, everyone's eye is clear that even the sixth one will never complete it.
There are so many reasons why I should intervene:
One of the most paramount reasons is the need to save my material projection skills. What will my client say if my material projection is far below what he budgeted. It will speak low of my experience and expertise as this may affect future engagements.
I called my client and asked him to call his supplier and ascertain how many tons he was bringing to the site. He did and called me back and confirmed it is 30 tons according to the man.
I said ok, good. Call him back and tell him that his driver said it is 22 tons he is bringing to the site. So in that case they owe us 8 tons x 5 times they have dropped chipping on site.
That will amount to 40 tons. My client went gaga! A senior military officer in the Nigerian Navy.
He called his supplier and ordered him to bring the 50 tons within 48 hours OR.........
When a man moving with 12 soldiers behind him gives you this kind of order when you are guilty as charged If you do not develop BP, mak I hear.
The cost of 40 tons then was 440k with the transportation to the site. That was 2022.
Unfortunately, the supplier was someone he trusted so much, the man was in charge of material supplies, sand, chippings, reinforcement bars and all that. Not that he was the one selling them oo. He is an aged man in his early sixties, a truck driver carrying building materials in a building material market. The same village as my client. That is how he broke the trust.
The man started pleading for him to be given time so that he could balance the money.
A lot happened afterwards... A lot.
What I am saying in essence. Integrity is a very scarce currency. And this is what we possess at Fronted Contractors..
If you engage us in your project, we will clothe your project with honesty, transparency and quality delivery.
We do not take what does not belong to us or associate ourselves with persons who perpetrate such acts on the construction site.
Above all, we give value for your money.
