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Tag: project

  • Anambra steps up action on projects

    Anambra steps up action on projects

    Mindful of the immense benefits which substantial road expansion could engender on the socio-economic development of the state, the Anambra State government has embarked on massive road construction.

    In the circumstances, it has awarded contracts worth N15b for construction of roads in various parts of the state in the past three months.

    Apart from the N15b worth of contracts already awarded, Governor Peter Obi recently flagged off yet another N7b road construction.

    Fears had been expressed that these gigantic projects may be stalled by paucity of funds thereby resulting in a situation of abandonment of several projects when the tenure of the Obi-led administration elapses in February next year.

    Governor Obi, has, however, invalidated these fears by revealing that the monies for the construction of the roads are not only available but also intact.

    Interestingly, all the local government areas in the state are benefiting from this development drive except Awka North Local Government Area which Governor Obi has assured of its share of new roads and completion of a road project that is ongoing.

    The State Executive Council has approved the construction of four more roads.

    The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief Joemartins Uzodike announced this after the weekly post-state executive meeting press briefing at Government House, Awka.

    Reeling off the list of roads to be constructed, the Commissioner said they include Umuoji- Micro-Finance Bank-Ekeagu-Abatete Road which was awarded at the cost of over N830million with completion period of nine months;  Nwafor Orizu College of Education Gate Road to Nsugbe Express at the sum of over N1.535billion with completion period of 10 months.

    Chief Uzodike further said that the council also approved the construction of 11.2 kilometre Atani-Ozubulu Road awarded at the cost of over N5.418billion with a completion period of 18 months.

    He further explained that the three bridges on the road have reached advanced stages of completion.

    In addition, the Commissioner said the executive council also approved the award of contract for the construction of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Road, Awada Onitsha at a cost of over 490.536million with completion period of six months.

    Chief Uzodike said the council appealed to people of the state to register and have their data captured in the ongoing Anambra State Identity Card Programme.

    The Commissioner, who regretted people’s reluctance in participating in the exercise because of fear of taxation, explained that the exercise aims at capturing comprehensive data of all residents and provide them with numbers for easy identification.

    He emphasised that the state identity card will be requisite for any government transaction, registration and even admission.

    On the ongoing restructuring of the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), Chief Uzodike said the exercise was to downsize the numerical strength of the staff, even as he said negotiation was on to re-absorb them in other ministries. He urged those affected to be patient. There was celebration in Awka, Okpuno and Amawbia communities where Governor Obi flagged off four major road projects. During the flag-off of Central-Bank-Okpuno and Kenneth Dike roads in Awka, the traditional ruler of the town, Igwe Gibson Nwosu described the huge infrastructural development in Anambra State as a revolution which, he said, the state is witnessing for the first time. He assured the governor of the support and cooperation of Awka people to his administration. In the same manner, a community leader in Okpuno, Prince James Obidinma said that the roads Governor Obi is constructing in Okpuno Town have given them a sense of belonging. He described the development as righting the wrongs and several injustices perpetrated against them by successive administrations.

    At the flag-off of Amawbia by-pass, Chief Joseph Ofodile said that “Anambra State had never had it so good. He maintained that the consensus among the people was that since it was not possible for Obi to go for a third term due to constitutional constraints, he should anoint a successor that would be like him. Otherwise, all these politicians prancing all over the place and buying sachet water for Amansea people would destroy all he had built.”

    The Commissioner for Works assured members of the communities of quality and durable work. He said that Anambra State is peculiar as it is a state where politicians paid jobless people to ascribe projects the governor is doing to other people; simply because he did not make noise about them. “Take a look at this Central Bank Road about to be flagged off. They have paid some people to say that it is being done by the Central Bank of Nigeria,” he said. Speaking during the event, Governor Obi said that his commitment to the welfare of the people of Anambra State was total. He revealed that with the understanding with the Federal Government, the state would soon start the reconstruction of the dual carriage way from Amansea to Awka. He cautioned Anambra people against being deceived by politicians, even as he advised them to vote in a person who is not above 50 years and who would still have the energy and stamina to run around for the good of the people as their next governor. “I always pray to God to give the state somebody better than I am,” he said.

    At Adazi-Nnukwu, Governor Obi flagged off the reconstruction of Okpu-Adazi Nnukwu-Okacha Road.  The 5.5km road was awarded at a cost of N770million and will be completed before the end of the year.

    While flagging of the road project, Governor Obi said the contractor had been adequately mobilised. He assured that government would ensure that the project would be completed on schedule and according to specifications.

    He explained that the ongoing mass infrastructural development across the state is a demonstration of the commitment of his administration to transform and reposition it for sustainable development. He expressed his satisfaction that the state has the best road network in the country.

    The Commissioner for Works said that when completed, the road would help in decongesting Nwagu-Agulu Road and also open up the entire area. He noted that the present administration is committed to executing projects that impact directly on people’s lives.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Social Re-orientation, Mrs. Michelle Onugbolu expressed gratitude to the governor for the various projects completed in the area, saying that the road will boost socio-economic life of the people.

    The chairman, transition committee of Aniocha Local Government Area, Mr. Emeka Chijioke noted that peace and security entrenched in the state by the Obi-led administration has paved way for achievements recorded so far.

    The President-General, Adazi-Nnukwu Town Union, Chief Benedict Enemuo said the community has benefited a lot from the Obi-led administration. These, he said, included erosion control projects, expansion of drainage system, hospital and school projects, among others.

    The people of Utuh rolled out the drums to celebrate the flag-off of the Nwanyiocha-Utuh-Osumenyi Road.

    Speaking at the event, the President-General of the town, Jimmie Asoegwu said: “The construction of Nwanyiocha-Utuh-Osumenyi Road failed to get the attention and approval of previous administrations in the state.

    “The road has been nicknamed ‘political road’ because politicians only use it for their electioneering campaigns. Its construction is now a reality. Obi awarded and paid for it and you can see that work is in progress. We are happy for that.”

    Addressing the people, Obi called on them not to vote for incompetent leaders that might want to buy their votes with rice and money.

  • IFC agric project for women coming

    An agricultural venture supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) aimed at generating 1,200 jobs of which a significant portion will be filled by women will soon take-off.

    The project is expected to contribute to the development of rural communities and promote international best practices in environmental and social standards in Africa.

    The investment, which will make debut in South Africa before other Sub-Saharan African states will promote investment in climate change mitigation through expanded timber plantation and other agro businesses. The investment is also expected to support new avocado orchards in Africa, improve technology to increase fruit and timber yields.

    Chief Executive of the first African beneficiary company, Mr Claus Lippert of HMH (Pty), said the firm’s relationship with IFC will improve their systems and also help them to achieve high standards in business practice. He also said that the collaboration with the global investment company will send a strong signal about their commitment to growth based on best practices and inclusive development in the agribusiness and forestry sectors.

    IFC Regional Director for Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services, Oscar Chemerinski, in his remarks said: “IFC has a strategic priority to help Africa achieve food security and to develop

    its agribusiness and forestry sectors according to international best practices.”

    He reiterated that their partnership with HMH (Pty) demonstrates their commitment to

    working with well-managed, sustainability-driven companies with an ambition

    to expand at home and beyond.”

    HMH exports about half of South Africa’s avocados to the European Union,

    where it is a market leader. It has pine and eucalyptus forest plantations

    in three South African provinces and four timber processing mills providing

    material for the country’s housing and manufacturing sector.

     

    IFC on its part has embarked on a special initiative to support agribusiness in Africa to

    aid increased food security. In its last fiscal year that ended in June 2012, it committed and mobilized 586 million dollars in new agribusiness and forestry investments in Sub-Saharan Africa.

     

  • Intrigues threaten constitution review project

    Intrigues threaten constitution review project

    As the two houses of the National Assembly put finishing touches to the committee reports on constitution review efforts, Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, takes a look at the issues stalling the process

     

    A  subtle but deep struggle is currently going on at the National Assembly. Sources close to the hallowed chambers say the rumpus, which has to do with the ongoing constitutional review process, may soon blow into the open as a very serious political crisis that will cut across party, regional and even ideological divides.

    Though the reports of the nationwide referendum on the constitution review conducted by both the House of Representatives and the senate are yet to be made public, there are already indications that the lawmakers may find it difficult to speak with one voice on the matter.

    While the House of Representatives took the survey on the review to the 360 Federal Constituencies in the country, members of the senate conducted similar surveys in the six geo-political zones of the country all in a bid to make the planned amendment as reflective of the desires of Nigerians as possible.

    But there are now fear that the outcome of the said surveys may have torn the National Assembly apart ahead of the public presentation of a report on the ongoing constitutional review process.

    Already, there is a failed attempt by the Constitution Review Committee of the House of Representatives to present its result on the review. The Speaker, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who rose from a marathon meeting of principal officers that lasted over three hours, announced the cancellation of the event.

    He based the cancellation on the need to put certain things right by doing more consultations on the issue. Later, the leadership of the lower House said the presentation was stalled because there “were hitches here and there.”

    “As leadership, we have reviewed the process so far and realised that we cannot go ahead with this programme today. Just like any other things associated with humans, there are hitches here and there- that is normal,” Tambuwal said.

    But findings by The Nation suggest that the cancellation may not be unconnected with the wrangling among the lawmakers over certain portions of the report. According to inside sources, the legislators are yet to agree on a number of issues as at the time the committee attempted to push its final report into public domain.

    The Speaker and some other principal officers, excluding the deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, who is the chairman of the committee, are said to have strongly disagreed with the Constitution Review Committee over certain provisions suggested in the report.

    And after several efforts to reach a compromise failed, Tambuwal and his men chose to stop the unfavourable report from becoming a public document as they feared that such presentation may further complicate the already fragile situation amongst lawmakers.

    Tambuwal, according to sources, is uncomfortable with the position of the Ihedioha-led committee on issues like state creation and immunity. It is believed that the Speaker and his deputy disagreed on several occasions when attempts were made to reach a compromise on the grey areas.

    “The Speaker is not hiding the fact that he is not comfortable with the content of the report. The problem however is that his deputy is the chairman of the same committee. The leadership of the house is currently divided into two halves with each supporting Tambuwal or Ihedioha on the matter.

    The point the Speaker is making is that should the committee go ahead to present the document, the House could suffer more serious embarrassment because lawmakers, including the house leadership, could publicly contradict themselves over the content of the report.

    The Spokesman of the House, Zakari Mohammed, at a press briefing, admitted that Tambuwal had to cancel the public presentation because most lawmakers had complained that they were yet to scrutinise the final document.

    “But because of the short time we have and the fact that a number of our colleagues have not been able to go through the reports from their various states we had to postpone the presentation ,” Muhammed said while explaining why the event was abruptly cancelled.

    The House of Representatives is not the only chamber heated up by the rumpus generated by the constitution review process. According to sources, the arguments for and against the need for new states has caused a sharp division among the principal officers of the senate.

    While Senate President David Mark and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, are for new states; a number of other principal officers, especially those from the north, are opposed to the creation of more states.

    On the floor of the senate, it is difficult to determine what the result would be should the lawmakers decide to vote on the contentious issue of state creation. This is because while a good number of senators from the south and north central support state creation, most lawmakers from the north are strongly opposed to the idea.

    “The fear that the process is aimed at creating just one more state for the southeast to balance the number of state per zone is ripe in the minds of northern lawmakers. For this, they are opposed to the idea while most senators from the south will support the call for more state should a public debate arise,” our source said.

    It is believed that it is this inability of the lawmakers to reach a common ground on some of the contentious issues contained in the reports that is stalling the public presentation.

    “Most members of the House of Representatives from the North are not in support of the creation of an additional state for the southeast. The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, wants a new a state in the Southeast. Speaker Tambuwal is not favourably disposed to the idea.

    Right now, the leadership of the National Assembly is in a dilemma over how to manage the situation, not only concerning state creation but other issues like state police, immunity, local government autonomy among others.

    The truth is that principal officers and members are divided on a number of these issues. For instance, President of the Senate, David Mark, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, are in support of new states. Many of the other principal officers hold contrasting views on state creation. There is currently a stalemate on the reports,” a lawmaker from Kogi state told The Nation.

    Given the current scenario, analyst are of the opinion that unless care is taken, issues like the proposal for state creation, immunity and local government autonomy might derail the ongoing constitution amendment process

    “There is need for us to stop and take a closer look at the whole process. There are many other burning issues Nigerians are hoping will be addressed by the ongoing constitution review effort. But as things are now, the lawmakers may allow their selfish interests in a few issues to thwart the entire process.

    Already, there is a cold war in the House. The Senate will soon follow suit as disagreement are also rife among its members on some issues. And if care is not taken, it will become a north versus south situation.

    ‘Once that happens, we should all bid constitution review farewell once again. This is why we feel the public should be let into what is going on within the hallowed chambers concerning the review process. Continued silence will not be to anybody’s advantage,” Barrister Modupe Oduguwa of the Citizens’ Right Project (CRiP) cautioned.

    Recently, while reacting to a statement credited to Senator David Mark, a senator from the core north has said northerners will oppose the plan to create more states in the south with all their might.

    “We are ready for whatever will happen on this state creation issue. The rumour is that the presidency is behind this agenda. For us, it is an agenda against the core north, especially Hausa-Fulani. We will north allow it to go unchallenged. Already, it is causing serious rumpus here at the National Assembly,” the Senator said.

    Mark was reported to have said: “The argument of those opposing state creation is based on whether existing states are viable or not. But they forget that a state might be unviable just because the administrator is not ingenious with internal revenue generation or the people are not united and the administrator has to spend the available resources on achieving peace.

    “I am for the creation of Apa state and any other state that may fit the conditions. I have never shied from my agitation for creation of additional states just as I have always called for the creation of roles for traditional rulers in the Constitution.”

    To further complicate the matter for the lawmakers, Governor Rotimi Ameachi, in his capacity as the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) said his colleagues would resist any attempt by the National Assembly to grant autonomy to local governments.

    “There is no country in the world that there are three federating units; there are only two all over the world. Why should you then say that there must be a third federating unit in Nigeria?

    Of course yes, let a state governor or let the states create as many local governments as they want to create. Don’t put it there as a constitutional issue,” Amaechi said.

    But Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Zakari Mohammed, stated that the governors do not support the amendment because it will put a stop to their siphoning of resources meant for the development of local government areas.

    “Local government autonomy as far as Nigerians are concerned is long overdue. As true representatives of the people, our constituents do not agree with the current status where local government funds are being pilfered by governors at the expense of the people and chairmen who are seen as mere boys for the job. We would certainly not accept a situation where governors turn themselves to demi -gods in the name of joint accounts.

    But if Mohammed thinks it would be easy to ignore the governors, he may have to beat a retreat because, determined to have their ways, the governors are said to have recruited some national lawmakers to ensure that the autonomy clause never make it into the constitution.

    “The current rumpus at the National Assembly is not without some external prompting. For example, state governors are now cajoling and threatening elected national lawmakers from their states into rejecting the autonomy clause. They are using their hold on party machineries as a bait to lure the lawmakers to their sides.

    ‘We are already hearing tales of how governors vow to stop any lawmaker who supports the clause from getting re-elected in 2015. This explains why some of our colleagues are now singing new tunes. But I can assure you that we will not jettison the demand of the majority of Nigerians because of a few selfish governors,’ a principal officer of the Senate said.

    Given this confusing scenario, the question on the lips of most observers of the ongoing brouhaha over the constitution review process is whether the much awaited reports will survive the rumpus in the National Assembly.

     

  • Osun needs N100m for scales’ project

    Osun needs N100m for scales’ project

    Osun State government needs over N100million for its proposed uniformed scales project, a report has said.

    The report entitled: ‘Introduction of standardised weights and measures,’ said the government needs the money as take-off capital. The government would use the money to procure various range of measurements, and later sell them at subsidised rates across the local government areas, it added.

    The report said market associations are the major beneficiaries because they deal with wholesalers and retailers.

    It said the government’s decision to provide standardised measurements or scales for traders was a good idea, noting that the development is in accordance with the Weights and Measures Act of 1962 as amended and made effective in 1975.

    The report indicated that goods sold or distributed by weights, measures or numbers would be more regulated, when the proposal on standardised scales,is ratified.

    It said the success of the initiative depends on the application of the relevant laws prescribed by the Constitution, adding that the laws said a Superintendent of Trade, Deputy Superintendent and Inspectors must be appointed to supervise the project at various levels of governance.

    It said the new scales have the potential to eliminate mistrust, incessant arguments and disagreements that are synonymous with commercial transactions in the state.

    Others include easing trading, increasing the pace and volume of transactions among traders, attracting consumers from neighbouring states, creating employment opportunities, and impacting positively on the economy of the state.

    The report voided the measurements used by market men and women, saying they are inaccurate and inconsistent.

    “Findings from observational checklists showed that the measures are based more on rule of thumbs than any degree of accuracy and consistency. The measures are not accurate and reputable. The various measuring standards are full of inherent shortcomings as observed by the market men and women themselves. “

    It said local measurements are not hygienically produced, making users and consumers to be prone to diseases.

    “The health hazards associated with over exposure of food items cannot be over-emphasised. Most of the communicable diseases are as a result of the exposure to vectors carrying the germs. Sometimes, nursing mothers, after cleaning up their babies still use the unwashed hands to measure food items,“ it added.

    The report said the high level of illiteracy, portability and accessibility of the scales/ measurements to the micro-scale traders, negative perception of the people, among other problems, may affect the implementation of proposed uniform measurements or scales.

     

  • Another harebrained project?

    Another harebrained project?

    •We need full disclosure on what the envisaged national carrier entails

    After the woeful experience of the Nigeria Airways, no patriotic Nigerian would ever want the Federal Government or any government in the country to have anything to do with running an airline. But the Nigerian government seems to be coming up with another harebrained proposition: it says a new national carrier with at least 30 brand new aircraft would soon be established in the country. The disclosure was made by the Director of Airport Operations of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Henry Omeogu, at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Rivers State, during an interactive session with newsmen.

    We wonder what the role of government would be in the initiative to warrant its breaking the news, if it is entirely private sector-driven as we were told. Government’s business starts and ends with ensuring that those who intend to establish airlines in the country meet the required criteria; and to ensure that standards are maintained even after the airlines have become operational. Ordinarily, we would have remained silent until a clearer picture of what the initiative entails because Mr Omeogu did not give details. But experience has shown that delay in speaking up on such matters could be dangerous.

    If our guess is right that the government wants to play another Father Christmas role in this project, then it should forget the idea. We want to remind it that when it comes to owning and running airlines, Nigeria has come a long way. Our experience with Nigeria Airways is still fresh in mind. The Nigeria Airways was a good example of how a bad business should be run. It cancelled scheduled flights at will, oftentimes because some government officials needed the aircraft at the time of flight. Interestingly, the government officials for whom the flights were cancelled hardly paid their fares; they saw the airline as an extension of the government because it was owned by it.

    As it were, Nigeria Airways became a metaphor for inefficiency, corruption, ineptitude, waste and bad governance. Indeed, incessant government interference was the proverbial last straw that broke its camel’s back.

    Subsequent attempts to have another national carrier ended up in fiasco. We recall the Virgin Nigeria experience and that of Arik Air. Even when the government decided to bail the airlines out of their financial crisis, we have little or nothing to show for it. Some of the airline owners just pocketed the bailout funds. It is not unlikely that some of them would have become richer, post-handout, than they were when they founded the airlines.

    The idea to float another national carrier, especially if it would involve government funding in any way appears a grand design to warehouse funds for the 2015 elections. This is much more so since those responsible for the death of Nigeria Airways are yet to face any sanctions. It is the Nigerian tax-payers that are made to bear this unfortunate burden. This is one of the few countries where people would commit such crimes and they would still be walking the streets free.

    Above all, the decision on the coming airline is beyond the FAAN boss who made the disclosure. It is a major policy decision that should be announced by at least the aviation minister. May be if this had been done, a clearer picture of how exactly the government intends to go about it would have emerged. It is simply not enough for the government to say the initiative would be private-sector driven. In Nigeria, that is a nebulous concept. It is however not too late for the government to tell Nigerians what the idea entails. Only people with the discipline should be nostalgic about having a national carrier, not Nigeria.

  • NECA-NSITF workplace project takes off

    Some major employers/industries in Lagos have received ambulances and other safety equipment to assist their injured employees, courtesy of the NECA-NSITF Safe Workplace Intervention Project.

    Managing Director, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, Alhaji Munir Abubakar, make this known at the Follow-up Interactive Enlightenment on ECA 2010 organised by the NSITF and Unite Consult Limited, in Lagos.

    Abubakar said: “We will touch the whole country,” adding that employers should comply with the Employees Compensation Act (ECA).

    He said the Fund was working with some social security outfits abroad, such as Zambia, learn from them, adding that employers should contribute their quota to the success of the scheme by paying for their employees to the Fund.

    Abubakar said that was the only way they could support the Fund, and ensure its success.

    Besides, he said only proper documentation would afford employees the opportunity to benefit from the ECS when there is a problem.

    So far, he said the fund has received 412 applications for claims without proper documentation while “NSITF has received 4,507 as notice of accidents or deaths”.

    Briefing the unions on delays in claims processing,  Abubakar  said: “Failure to complete relevant ECS forms or failure to include required attachments, ignorance of the manner of accidents/diseases covered by the act, among others, are some of the challenges affecting delay in claims”.

    In case of injury, he said: “Compensations for disabilities arising from injuries/diseases suffered in the course of work, a sum equal to 90 per cent of the injured employee’s total remuneration payable monthly”.

    The director also affirmed that NSITF is committed to reducing incidence removing sufferings, anxiety, insecurity and material deprivation of the often less privileged employees.

    “NSITF is committed to quality service that is guided by the principle of accountability, transparency and integrity”, he added.

    Abubakar , who also complained that many employers do not pay well, stressed noted: “Parts of the plan of the scheme, is the accreditation of hospitals and clinics all over the country that will be used for the treatment of injured persons under scheme, committee working on the opening of rehabilitation centres/vocational training centres in compliance with the provisions of the act”.

    He disclosed that as at August 31, over 1,000 employers have registered in the scheme.

  • Why I’m emotional about child, maternal mortality – Jonathan

    Why I’m emotional about child, maternal mortality – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan has launched “save one million lives “programme.

    He explained that his personal experience was the reason for his desire to end child and maternal mortality in the country.

    This is even as the Norwegian government has agreed to commit the sum of $25 million to Nigeria’s “save one million lives” programme over the next five years.

    He spoke on Tuesday at the United Nations Commission on Life-Saving commodities for women and children; meeting of chairs, co-vice chairs, commissioners and ministers with national observers and launching of the “saving one million lives” programme at the Banquet Hall of State House, Abuja.

    According to the president, out of the nine children his mother had, seven died at infants with him and his elder sister being the only surviving kids.

    “On the issue of saving lives of women and children I’m passionate, because my mother had nine of us but seven died as infants with myself and the elder sister surviving. That I’m alive today is not because of any intervention but by God’s hand.”

    The President, who revealed that Nigeria has increased domestic funding, said the sum of $33.4 million has been committed for the procurement of the commodities for the next four years.

    He also said the sum of $500 million is being committed for reproductive health, while the government has also increase its commitment to the fight against eradication of polio and immunisation to the tune of $68 million.

    Besides, the president said the removal of user fees for contraceptives had increase demand rate to about 150 per cent.

    Jonathan, who commended development agents for the aid given to Nigeria to fight the devastating flood that has ravaged majority of the states in the country, said the launching of the “save one million lives” project was historic, pledging transparency during the stage of the implementation plan.

     

  • NDDC assures on projects completion

    •Mr Alloysius Nwagboso (middle) with Mr Peter Ezeobi to his right and Hon. Dominic Edem on his left as they inspect a road project

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reiterated its commitment to the completion of existing projects across the nine states covered by the commission. Head of the Corporate Affairs Mr. Ibitoye Abosede stated this on Monday while reacting to concerns being expressed in some quarters about the fate of such projects.
    He said such concern by stakeholders and communities about the fate of the many projects awarded by former boards of the commission is genuine but that they should rest assure as the present board has taken the issue of completing existing projects as a matter of priority.
    “The board is aware of their concern and appreciates it. The MD/CEO, Dr. Chris Oboh has said at various fora, that no existing project would be abandoned. He means just that and that is what the Commission is focusing on,” he stated.
    Indeed, the desire to complete existing projects is a cardinal focus of present Board. There many uncompleted projects initiated by previous boards of the interventionist agency since it was set up by the  government in 2000 to drive development in the oil rich region which has suffered serious neglect and degradation over a long period of time.
    At one of his major media briefing in April, the MD/CEO acknowledged the challenges posed by such uncompleted projects had declared his determination to deal with the issue.
    “One of the challenges we met when we came on board was the multiplicity of uncompleted and ongoing projects across the region. We are aware of stakeholders’ concerns and are committed to ensuring the completion of as many of such projects as possible within the limit of available time and resources.”
    And to give effect to the new vision by the board, Oboh told members of the Presidential Monitoring Committee on the Niger Delta who visited the commission recently that: “the 2012 budget would target completion of existing projects and they have all been placed on priority list. A lot of projects have been awarded since the establishment of the NDDC; we intend to focus on the completion of the projects.”
    The Commission has since swung into action by undertaking a comprehensive and extensive audit of all on-going projects across the region, an exercise Oboh described as a “demonstration of the commitment of the board to the completion of projects awarded since the inception of the NDDC in December 2000”.
    And the Board’s approach was simply to constitute itself into three monitoring committees made up of three members each to go round three states and see things for themselves. One for Delta, Edo and Ondo states; another for Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states and the last one for Cross River, Imo and Abia states.
    The monitoring committees made up of the nine representatives of the various states on the board of the NDDC have since inspected projects in all the states spread across the region. These include roads, bridges, land reclamation and shore protection, flood control and channelization as well as university hostels projects.
    The task before the monitoring groups was to assess what was on ground and recommend measures that would facilitate the completion of the projects placed on fast-track by the commission.
    The first monitoring committee to Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom was led by Mr. Edi  Orubo, the Bayelsa State representative. The others were Prof. Ibitamuno Aminigo representing Rivers State and Imaobong Inyang, representing Akwa Ibom State.
    Orubo said that some of the problems that had previously slowed down the pace of work on NDDC projects had been addressed.

  • Kwara’s N70b rice project starts in December

     Kwara State’s N70 billion rice cultivation and processing project is to be unveiled in December, its foreign partner has said.

    The partner, Valsolar S.L. 2006 of Spain, said it has secured funds for the project that has an initial life span of 4 years.
    Reacting to the news, Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed welcomed the development as the project is key to his administration’s efforts to provide food for the people, jobs for the youths and inputs for agro-allied industries, while at the same time growing the state’s economy through agriculture.

    “ I am particularly pleased that this project will be generating 12,000 jobs across the value chain as well as substantially growing the state’s economy. Our farmers will also benefit from the technology transfer component of the project. No doubt, this huge project is one of several envisaged under the Kwara State Agricultural Modernization Plan (KAMP) the implementation of which is soon to commence”, he said.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Investment, Policy and Strategy,  Abayomi Ogunsola, said under the terms of the joint venture Memorandum of Agreement  the company is to invest N70billion in the project over the next four years, while the state will provide 20,000 hectares of land as well as infrastructural support for the project which will operate under a registered joint venture company, Valsolar-Kwara Limited.  According to Ogunsola, each annual module of the project will  see the company cultivate 5000 hectares of land and produce 40000 tons of rice for local and international consumption.

    Following satellite and laboratory soil analyses earlier in the year, Valsolar-Kwara has decided to site the projects in communities along the River Niger in Kwara North, namely Tsonga, Pategi, Bacita and Lafiagi, he said.