(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/erosion-300x224.jpg) The Special Committee set up by President Goodluck Jonathan to assess and ensure speedy completion of work on the 15 soil erosion and flood control projects in the South-eastern States of Imo and Anambra has concluded the first phase of its assignment with inspection visits to eight FGN funded ecological projects in the location.
The Presidential Team which is headed by the Director-General of Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Engr. Emeka Ezeh has other members drawn from the Federal Ministries of Environment, Works, Water Resources, Lands and Urban Development with Mr. Jude Mekwunye, the Director, Soil Erosion and Flood Control of the Ecological Fund Office as the Secretary.
The Committee's tasks include the inspection of all on-going erosion control project sites in the South-east that is funded by Ecological Fund Office, assessing extent of work done and the capacity of the contractor to deliver on the job.
The Committee was also to examine the scope of contract execution in each site, assess the impact and advise on what is needed to mitigate the effects of erosion menace at the sites as well as assess all other critical ecological situations in the region and make recommendations to the Federal Executive Council.
The team carried out in-depth inspection of all project sites visited from start to finish, asking questions and demanding for documents to ascertain the managerial and financial capabilities of contractors, the professional qualification and competence of consultants, ascertaining the adequacy of project engineering designs and whether or not the respective designs conform to standard engineering practice.
The Committee also assessed the operational status of equipment on site both functional and non functional and verify their ownership status whether they are on lease, hire-purchase or owned by the contracting firms.
The Committee also verified Contractors' compliance with quality assurance requirements, Consultants' capacity to design and supervise projects to specification as well as look into issue of complaints for delayed payment on jobs done.
Committee members also interfaced with community leaders of the beneficiary communities to get feedback on the impact of the projects on the communities and the need for community ownership and maintenance of the projects after hand over.
Altogether, the Committee inspected eight FGN funded ecological projects in Imo and Anambra States. They include Nanka/Oko landslide project, the Nkisi Water Works erosion control project in Onisha, the Sakamori/Nwangene Flood Control/Dredging Project also in Onisha, the Okpolo/Ire Ojoto erosion control project in Okpolo Local Government Area and Alor Town Flood control and road improvement project in Idemili Local Government Area all of Anambra State and the Nekede, Saint Kzito Secondary School in Muchina and the Umuoza- Ugri erosion control projects in Imo state.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on South East ecological problems, Engr. Emeka Ezeh has emphasized the need for Consultants to engage in intensive study of ecological related problems in order to come up with knowledge-based engineering design that will stand the test of time.
Engr. Ezeh gave this advice after his Committee was told that reclamation work at the Nanka erosion control project site has contributed to further aggravation at the Oko axis of the area. He said such problem would have been avoided if a holistic study of the problem had been carried out.
The Chairman also hinted that his Committee will advise the Federal Government on the need to design a performance bond and insert a clause in project contract agreement that will commit the Contractors/Consultants to bear the full cost of expenses incurred while indemnifying the Federal Government from all liabilities in event of project failure.
At the Nkisi Water Works, the Chairman expressed dismay that the water project on which the Federal Government has given out contracts on two occasions and released substantial money was abandoned and the facilities allowed to deteriorate; promising that the FG will bring to brook those who have short changed the people of the State from enjoying portable water supply.
The Chairman also described as unhelpful a situation where Consultants make designs primarily to satisfy money made available, rather than solving a given problem. He was also not happy that the contractor, rather than exporting materials, is importing earth materials from site to sand fill the gully being reclaimed; saying the practice portends grave danger to the structures on ground.
Meanwhile, the need to complete the Sakamori soil erosion control project in Onisha has received a boost from the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi who while accompanying the Presidential Team to the site, gave a 2-week matching order to owners of structures obstructing drains and channels in the area to remove them; failure of which the structures will be demolished.
The Governor who said his directive did not exempt churches, business houses and private buildings concerned, assured the public that there is no going back in taking necessary steps that will restore sanity to Onitsha, in order to change its ignoble status as a dirty city in Nigeria. He advised those who are not ready to adjust to the new order to relocate to their villages.
Experience on the field showed that Nekede flood control project which is ready for commissioning leads the rest in terms of level and quality of work done and positive impact to the beneficiary communities. Contractors and Consultants handling Sakamori/Nwangene and the Ojoto erosion control projects are also adjudged to be doing well.
The team rounded off its first phase inspection with visits to the Ibusa and Ubulu Okiti flood erosion problem sites in Delta State on which the Federal Government has received requests for intervention.
Welcoming the Presidential Team to his town, the Obi of Ubulu-Okiti, His Royal Highness, Edward Isichie praised the Federal Government for sending the team in response to the appeal of the community. The Obi explained that the main access road linking the town to the expressway is often rendered impassable during the rainy season; a development which makes many vehicle owners in the town to abandonee them. He enumerated the various efforts made in the past by his people and concluded that finding solution to the problem is far beyond individual and community efforts.
Responding, the Committee assured the community leader and his people that the Federal Government would be apprised of the serious ecological problem confronting the community and what needs to be done to alleviate the plight of the people.
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria