FG, states parley on execution of critical projects (http://www.businessdayonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9078:fg-states-parley-on-execution-of-critical-projects&catid=85:national&Itemid=340)
...to commence regular consultation, dialogueThe Federal Government and six state governments have unveiled plans to find lasting solution to the problem of delay in execution of major critical infrastructural projects including roads and housing in various parts of the country. Hassan Lawal, minister of works, housing and urban development gave the hint while addressing commissioners of works and urban development in the South-South geo-political zone led by George Ugbonnah, Delta State commissioner for works. The minister explained that the ministry will soon commence regular consultation and dialogue with all the state commissioners of works, housing and urban development with a view to streamlining, aligning and synergising programmes and projects to achieve optimal resource utilisation. Lawal said "the need for synergy in our activities cannot be over-emphasised particularly in the area of project citation and project prioritisation as well as project implementation."There are also lots and lots of issues that would have to be sorted out as these issues drag our development. But this has to be done before the budget goes to the National Assembly," he noted. He noted that all the three tiers of government had concurrent responsibilities for the provision of roads and housing infrastructure in all parts of the country, and that the need for regular consultations, complementary and collaborative strategies was obvious to all. In her remarks, Grace Ekpiwhre, minister of state for works, housing and urban development, disclosed that the commissioners were also meeting with officials of the Niger Delta Ministry and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to review and harmonise programmes and projects, with a view to eliminating duplication of projects and wastage of resources. Speaking earlier, George Ugbonnah, Delta State commissioner for works, explained that the working visit to the ministry was part of ongoing efforts to synergise and ensure effective implementation of major projects in order to avoid duplication. He said "since the same endeavour was to provide development for the people we felt there's need for synergy in order to avoid duplication of efforts and ensure that what the Federal Government has for the state is executed as well as channel the budget appropriately." Ugbonnah, who expressed concern over the state of ongoing federal projects across the country, explained that the meeting would also provide opportunity for both parties to identify major impediments facing the projects with a view to finding lasting solution to it. Five other commissioners at the meeting are Emmanuel Frank-Opigo, commissioner for works & transport (Bayelsa); Erhauyi Obayagbonna, commissioner for works (Edo); Dakuku Peterside, commissioner for works (Rivers); Bassey Ekefre, commissioner for works (Cross River) and Omordi George Ugbonnah, commissioner for works (Delta).
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