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Tag: projects

  • Abandoned projects stalling development, says PMI

    Abandoned projects stalling development, says PMI

    Strengthening continuity and ensuring seamless execution, especially during political transitions, can significantly enhance project success and stop the culture of abandonment, an organization, Project Management Institute (PMI), has said.

    It added that by improving oversight and accountability mechanisms, projects can be completed on time and within budget, ultimately delivering the intended benefits to communities.

    Its Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, George Asamani, said curbing the culture of abandoned projects in Nigeria and Africa has become imperative in view of the huge value of abandoned projects estimated by Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) at over 56,000 projects valued at more than N12 trillion .

    Asamani, in a statement entitled: “The culture of abandoned projects: The solutions are in plain sight” said while ineffective project management is not the sole cause of abandoned projects, it plays a crucial role in their outcomes.

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    He said: “Strengthening continuity and ensuring seamless execution, especially during political transitions, can significantly enhance project success. By improving oversight and accountability mechanisms, projects can be completed on time and within budget, ultimately delivering the intended benefits to communities.”

    Asamani said project management offers a structured approach to navigating the complexities of public infrastructure development.

    Through proper scheduling, resource allocation, and progress tracking, project management minimises delays and keeps projects on course. “One of its most critical benefits is fostering continuity – comprehensive documentation of decisions, budgets, and timelines ensures that new administrations pick up where previous ones left off without losing momentum,” he added.

    He said a well-structured project management approach begins with thorough feasibility studies that assess financial, technical, and environmental factors impacting delivery. Instead of setting unrealistic timelines, professional project managers use data-driven forecasting to establish achievable deadlines and cost estimates.

    “Contingency planning is another essential aspect of project management. Whether facing fluctuating material costs or weather-related delays, project managers are prepared to adapt while keeping the project on track. Cost control mechanisms, such as continuous expense monitoring, allow project managers to identify areas of overspending early and take corrective action before financial distress sets in.

    “Risk analysis also plays a vital role in project success. Setting aside financial buffers for emergencies or unforeseen circumstances makes projects less likely to stall due to a lack of funds. Transparency ensures that all stakeholders, including government officials, contractors, and the public, remain informed about the project’s progress. This openness promotes accountability and limits opportunities for malfeasance,” Asamani added.

    Across Africa, infrastructure projects are reshaping the skylines and connecting communities. From highways and bridges to energy plants and ports, these projects symbolise progress and the promise of economic development. Yet, alongside these bold initiatives, there are too many examples of unfinished roads, abandoned buildings, and projects left incomplete. This reality reveals a pressing challenge: the gap between ambition and execution.

    According to the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) report recently, over 56,000 projects valued at more than N12 trillion have been abandoned in the past two decades in Nigeria.

    Across the continent, he said: “There is immense potential for infrastructure development to flourish by enhancing planning, strengthening project management, and building capacity during the project preparation phase.”

    According to him, governments can significantly benefit from embracing project management principles at every stage to ensure the successful completion of public development projects. By investing in training, adopting proven project management frameworks, and collaborating with certified professionals, governments can significantly enhance the execution of large-scale initiatives, leading to more impactful and sustainable outcomes.

    The inefficiencies highlighted by McKinsey emphasise the pressing need for improved project management. With 80per cent cost overruns and significant delays, adopting standardised processes is essential to delivering better outcomes and reducing waste.

    Effective project management is a vital tool for governments and organisations dedicated to achieving sustainable development and enhancing prosperity for their citizens.

  • Fed Govt to audit public-private partnership projects

    Fed Govt to audit public-private partnership projects

    The Federal Government plans to conduct an audit of all public-private partnership (PPP) projects across Nigeria.

    The aim is to evaluate their performance and ensure full compliance with statutory insurance requirements as mandated by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission Establishment Act, 2005.

    Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr. Jobson Ewalefoh, made this disclosure during his courtesy visit to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

    A statement from the ICRC signed by Ifeanyi Nwoko, Acting Head, Media and Publicity said Ewalefoh assured the Minister that the ICRC is committed to evaluating all existing PPP projects to optimize their performance. He emphasized that the audit process is not intended to terminate any contracts but rather to enhance the efficiency of these partnerships in alignment with the nation’s goals.

    “We are already putting mechanisms in place to audit the performance of PPP agreements that were signed in the past. This audit is not aimed at condemning or terminating them but to optimize them in the interest of the nation,” Ewalefoh stated.

    The ICRC’s audit process will involve assessing the overall contribution of PPPs to national development, particularly in infrastructure delivery, and addressing any issues that may hinder their success.

    Another critical area highlighted by the ICRC DG was the enforcement of insurance policies for all national assets under PPP arrangements. Dr. Ewalefoh reiterated that both hard and soft infrastructure assets managed under PPPs are required by law to be insured.

     “Under the law, all national assets, both hard and soft infrastructure, that are concessioned through PPP must be insured. We are already looking into this and will soon issue a directive mandating the insurance of all assets under PPPs to ensure compliance,” he added.

    This move aims to protect government assets and investments, ensuring that any damages or losses are adequately covered under insurance policies.

    In response to the Minister’s request for enhanced PPP capacity within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), Dr. Ewalefoh assured that the ICRC is working to train PPP desk officers. This initiative, he said, is already underway through the ICRC’s training institute.

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    He encouraged the Ministry of Interior to continue adopting PPP models to meet its infrastructure needs, while also seeking clarifications from the ICRC when necessary.

    Dr. Ewalefoh commended the Minister of Interior for his leadership in utilizing PPPs to deliver key infrastructure needs. He noted that under Dr. Tunji-Ojo’s tenure, the Ministry of Interior had submitted the highest number of PPP projects for approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in the past year.

     “From the record of the Commission, the total amount of investment that has come into this ministry in your time as Minister is over $500 million. We cannot thank you enough for being a champion of PPPs,” the DG stated, praising the Minister’s proactive approach to optimizing stalled PPP projects for improved performance and revenue generation.

    The ICRC Director-General also used the opportunity to reassure investors that the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to respecting the sanctity of PPP contracts. He highlighted that no PPP agreements under the ICRC’s purview have been cancelled since the new government took office.

     “We want to reassure the world and investors that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu respects the sanctity of contracts. No signed PPP contract under the ICRC has been cancelled, showing that investors’ investments are safe,” Dr. Ewalefoh emphasized.

    In his address, Minister Tunji-Ojo noted the Ministry’s plans to make key agencies under its purview self-reliant, reducing their dependence on the federal budget.

     “We believe that many of our agencies should operate off-budget, and we are working towards that goal. With limited government resources and a growing population of 230 million people, we must innovate in terms of financing,” the Minister said.

    He explained that the Ministry had already leveraged private sector resources to deliver major infrastructure projects, citing the success of PPPs in the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS). Projects such as the data center, e-gates, the Advanced Passenger Information System, and the near-completion of the Gap Management System are examples of successful PPPs.

    Minister Tunji-Ojo affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to continuing its collaboration with the ICRC to ensure the success of PPP projects. He acknowledged the Commission’s role in providing technical expertise and ensuring that the Ministry’s PPP initiatives are well-structured and functional.

     “We appreciate the ICRC for its technical input in fine-tuning our projects. We will continue to work closely with the Commission to push Nigeria toward realizing its full potential,” the Minister concluded.

    The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, also congratulated Dr. Ewalefoh on his appointment, commending the Minister for his dedication to leveraging PPPs to deliver infrastructure projects and relieve the strain on government resources.

    The Federal Government’s commitment to auditing PPP projects, ensuring insurance compliance, and leveraging private-sector resources for infrastructure development represents a strategic shift toward optimizing national assets. With the ICRC’s active role in fostering PPPs, the administration’s support of investor confidence, and the Ministry of Interior’s innovative approach to financing, Nigeria is poised to see improved infrastructure delivery and economic growth.

    The coming audit and new insurance directives will ensure that PPP projects meet their full potential, ultimately benefiting the Nigerian economy and its citizens.

  • Global fund okays $1.1b to projects in Nigeria, others

    Global fund okays $1.1b to projects in Nigeria, others

    The Global Adaptation Fund (AF) says it has committed over$ 1.1 billion committed to improving the climate resilience of 43 million total beneficiaries in 112 countries.

    Created under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the fund is designed to finance climate change adaptation projects and programmes based on the priorities of eligible developing countries.

    According to it, the fund reached 165 approved concrete projects last year.

    AF said it is restoring over 635,000 hectares of natural habitat and 164,000 meters of coastlines while creating 526 early warning systems at local, country and regional levels.

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    The year, the fund said it began with gathering detailed information on climate change, that 2023 was the hottest on record by significant margins — including .60°C above 1991-2020 mean averages and 1.48°C above 1850-1900 pre-industrial averages.

    According to the fund, the large margin by which the previous record was surpassed provides indisputable testimony of how much warmer and riskier today’s climate is and adds further to the urgency of investments in adaptation funding highlighted by a UNEP adaptation gap report released last year.

  • Lagos promises to enforce EIA for projects

    Lagos promises to enforce EIA for projects

    Lagos State Government has promised to intensify efforts at mainstreaming Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) into developmental projects, to ensure sustainability.

    This, it noted, would ensure the continued safety of lives and property of residents.

    Permanent Secretary (Environmental Services), Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Gaji Omobolaji, spoke at a stakeholders’ workshop on how to make EAI more effective and workable. The workshop was to sensitise technical professionals from government MDAs and the private sector on requirements and procedures for conducting EIAs.

    Omobolaji, represented by the Director of Sanitation Services, Hassan Sanuth, described EIA as “a decision making tool that guides developmental projects.

    “It is a form of predicting what are the likely consequences, positive or negative, of any project. It then recommends what should be done to make the project sustainable for the benefit of the environment as well as human being.”

    He added: “Lagos State, in the last two years, has been creating awareness on the importance of EIA. We are also extending it into government projects. The government has conducted EIAs on most of the projects it will be executing from next year; we are doing this so that the government itself is not found culpable of flouting the law.

    “The government is ready to implement and also enforce it. It is a government policy that must be implemented.”

    Director of Environmental Assessment Olasunkanmi Sojunu described EIA as a global tool for environmental management.

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    He said: “Before any project is developed, the law requires that the project be subjected to an early determination of its likely impact, beneficial or adverse. There must also be measures to mitigate those impacts. So, if we must have sustainable development in the state and across Nigeria, EIA must be considered essential.

    “The responsibility of conducting EIA lies in the hands of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources. This is why this stakeholders’ workshop is necessary to sensitise stakeholders. We must equip our workers to be able to sensitise the people to do the right thing.

    We will also be firm with monitoring and enforcement to ensure people do the right thing.”

    A retired professor of Environmental Science, Babajide Alo, who lectured the stakeholders on EIA, said the government should increase its enforcement to ensure projects are executed in tandem with the EAI, to ensure sustainability and safety of residents.

    “If EIA is enforced the way it is crafted, projects will not be sited in the wrong places. So, government should do more now in enforcing EIA. Part of it is to empower the administrators of EIA. If their capacity is high enough, they can fully understand and enforce the implementation of EIA as is done globally.

    “The people also have to be partners in progress. They must ask the right questions about projects coming to their area to ensure it is environmentally- friendly, sustainable and beneficial to them,” he said.

  • Katsina to develop another set of LGA projects in November, says commissioner

    Katsina to develop another set of LGA projects in November, says commissioner

    The Katsina State Government has announced plans to embark on the development of another set of 100 projects in the month of November, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Professor Badamasi Lawal Charanchi, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the recently concluded inspection of projects across the Local Government Areas of the state.

    He said over 100 projects had been inspected across the LGAs in the three Senatorial Zones of the state.

    The Commissioner also confirmed that the state Governor Malam Dikko Umar Radda would this November approve another phase of projects for the LGAs, which according to him, may exceed the N1.8M approved for the first time.

    The Commissioner further disclosed that the projects so far conducted and inspected were satisfactory while commending the agility of the local Council’s Chairmen and charging them to ensure more prudence in the next project’s implementation.     

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    According to a report by The Nation, out of the LGAs inspected, only three LGAs have been identified with major and minor corrections on the conduct of their projects.

    The Commissioner said: “Projects so far inspected include: construction of roads, mosques, drainages, slaughterhouse, Islamiyya Schools, provision of portable drinking water, rehabilitation of Primary Healthcare Clinics as well as Secondary and primary schools.

    “Other projects inspected include repairs of electric transformers, fixing of electric polls, provision of Solar Powered Street Lights, connection of high and low tension electricity, provision of office accommodation for NSCDC and other viable projects.’’

    The projects according to the Commissioner were part of the campaign promises of the state Governor, while some were based on the needs of the communities in their respective areas.

    The Commissioner also spoke extensively on the efforts being made by Governor Dikko Radda on curbing insecurity disturbing the state, distribution of palliatives, recruitment of teachers, and other aspects that touch people’s lives.

  • Osinbajo inaugurates policies, projects, audit committee

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday inaugurated the policies, programmes and projects committee recently set up by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    President Buhari set up the 15-member committee, chaired by the vice president, to take stock of the administration’s efforts so far and to make concrete preparations for the second term in office which begins on May 29 this year.

    The terms of reference of the committee include “to audit and determine the status of implementation of policies, programmes and projects either inherited or commenced by the outgoing administration and “to identify and highlight a residue of works and challenges that may militate against their successful implementation.”

    The committee will also “prepare and produce a detailed working document that will guide the incoming cabinet members on the direction of government regarding policies, programmes and projects;” and “co-opt organisations or persons relevant towards the successful execution of the exercise and make recommendations as may be considered necessary.”

    Other members of the committee are Chief of Staff to the President, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Minister of Budget and National Planning and the Minister of Finance.

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Minister of Transportation and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development are also members of the committee.

    Also on the committee are the Minister of Water Resources, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the National Security Adviser and the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office and the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President.

    Inaugurating the committee, Vice President Osinbajo said the committee would, “in the next few weeks, determine the current status of and performance on federal government projects and programmes, relying not just on submissions made by the various ministries, department and agencies but also on objective assessment of experts already engaged on similar assessments and will be co-opted to assist in this mission.

    “They will also be required to produce a detailed implementation plan based on the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, ERGP, and on several documents, including the Next Level Document.”

    Prof. Osinbajo said the plan was aimed at ensuring the preparation of a working document that would guide in the implementation of federal government projects and programmes, and especially serve as an important guide for ministers in the new cabinet.

  • Guinness lifts economy with projects, campaigns

    Guinness Nigeria Plc is championing community development initiatives meant to promote economic development and better society. This, the firm is doing through  developmental projects and campaigns.

    Guiness Nigeria Plc  is not only empowering farmers with credit facilities, access to market and training but also supporting campaigns on responsible drinking in the interest of the society.

    For instance, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data showed that  Nigeria had about 11 million motor vehicles at the third quarter of 2017.

    Around 3,000 car accidents occur every day around the world mainly due to alcohol abuse and human errors like use of phones when driving, disobeying traffic light and signs, impatient drivers , over speeding, bad roads, tires, driving under exhaustion among. This led to 12,077 road accidents of which 5,400 persons died in 2015.

    Guinness Nigeria, as part of their corporate strategy for reducing alcohol-related road crashes, has set ambitious responsible drinking targets and is committed to measuring and reporting on every programme. The firm promotes the  Diageo and United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) partnership which has been running globally but will be implemented in Nigeria.

    The UNITAR Road Safety Conference, recently held in Abuja served as an outlet to discuss solutions and share best practices and learnings on road safety legislation. It was also meant to look at regulation that will help address the issues of road safety in the country.

    At the event were Minister for Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, Executive Director of UNITAR, Nikhil Seth, Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Baker Magunda, and over 100 local and international experts and stakeholders. The stakeholders introduced plans to unveil major road safety engagements to reduce traffic death and injuries and improve road safety both globally and in Nigeria during the conference.

    The partnership with UNITAR and Federal Government will deliver a high-visibility drink driving enforcement campaign in Lagos. It will involve the training of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officers in planning, running and evaluating road-side breathalyzer checkpoints using the model created by renowned expert Othon Sanchez; who successfully ran a sustained drink drive campaign in Mexico City which delivered a 40 per cent reduction in crashes and fatalities. The objective of the three-year campaign is to increase awareness and knowledge among drivers about the risk factors associated with drink driving and also curb alcohol-related fatalities.

    The programme Sanchez, a former police chief of Mexico City and a founder of “Conduce Sin Alcohol Programme” delivered a reduction in drinking and driving related crashes and fatalities. The training aims at addressing drinking and driving and the commitment to the “Drive Dry” campaign – meaning driving without alcohol consumption in the hope of reducing fatalities on the road; is the model that will be adopted by Guinness Nigeria and effected through the partnership with UNITAR and The Ministry of Transportation.  It is also to note that the initiative by Sanchez was also in partnership with UNITAR and Diageo and yielded results across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

    The target for Guinness Nigeria is to ensure that as a corporate organisation there is a strategic plan to achieve the United Nation’s Global Goals and support WHO’s programmes on health. With UN, road safety targets have been included in the final text of the new Sustainable Development Goals adopted by UN member states in New York. A specific stand-alone target in the Health Goal is to reduce road traffic fatalities by 50 per cent by 2020 and a target on sustainable urban transport in the cities.

    Guinness Nigeria is also engaging other stakeholders to curb the scourge of road crashes, in Nigeria. It launched the Annual Ember Months Campaign in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to sensitize drivers on the dangers of drink driving especially during the end of the year through the festivities; to the New Year, when vehicular movements on the roads are usually high. The Annual Ember Months Campaign by Guinness Nigeria has been ongoing for 14 years and has garnered much impact.

     

  • Kaduna executes 213 projects worth N21.3b in local govt

    The Kaduna State government has expended N21.3 billion in the execution of various projects in Kaduna North Local Government Area in two years.

    Commissioner for Justice Hajiya Ummi Hikima, who made the disclosure yesterday at a town hall meeting at the Women Multi-purpose Centre, Kaduna, said the contracts for the different projects were awarded between 2015 and 2017

    Giving a breakdown, the commissioner said N1.4billion was to improve infrastructure in the education sector where six schools and classrooms were rehabilitated.

    He added that some of the items supplied within the period under review included mattresses, school furniture and smart boards, ICT hardware, software and E-Library provision including fencing and drainage construction.

    “In the health sector, the government in total spent N1.1 billion on the renovation of major health related parastatals, procurement and installation of medical kits while 12 public health centres were renovated.

    “The current government has also spent N5.2billion on infrastructure by constructing eight roads, construction of dual carriage roads, provision of solar powered street lights and airport lounge redevelopment,” she stated.

    Hajiya Hikima said the state government additionally spent N8.53billion on governance, N2.8billion on statewide rollout and N1.6billion on water and sanitation by supplying heavy and light vehicles and procurement of refuse containers.

    She added that on agricultural sector, the government spent N444.4 million on supply of improved seedlings and livestock vaccines.

    Also speaking, the Chairman Kaduna North, Mr Saleh Shuaibu assured that government would continue to do more for the people, but noted that not much could be achieved in the absence of peace.

    Shuaibu stated that the state government had built and completed  police stations at Rafin Guza and Ungwan Yero, renovated Mahuta market and upgraded the fish market at Gamji gate.

    He further said that the government was planning to build a Primary Health Care(PHC) in Abakwa and Ungwan Kakana, including its plans to donate vehicle to every police division in Kaduna North.

    The chairman used the forum to urge the people of Kaduna North to collect their Permanent Voters cards to enable them vote during the election.

    Similarly, Mr Ya’u Usman, Chairman of the state Fiscal Responsibility Commission, said the state government would continue to perform its statutory responsibilities of ensuring good governance to the people of the state.

     

  • NNPC to deliver gas projects by 2020

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will deliver its seven critical gas development projects(7CGDP) by 2020. This would ease gas supply to the power plants across the country.

    It said the projects were designed  to leverage the immense gas potential in the country, and further help in meeting the target of generating at least 15,000 megawatts (Mw) of electricit, by 2020

    Its Principal Manager, Public Affairs, Ndu Ughamadu, said the corporation is relying on the projects to generate 50,000Mw by 2020, in order to improve the supply of electricity in Nigeria.

    In a telephone interview,   he said NNPC is working to nurture the projects to fruition by 2020.

    He said when this happens, the country would be able to transport gas to power plants seamlessly and boost power supply.

    NNPC, he said, is working in line with the mandate given to it by the Federal Government to deliver the projects by 2020 and further boost power supply in the country.

    According to him, the government has directed NNPC to complete the gas projects, adding that when this happens, thermal plants would not have difficulties accessing gas optimally for growth.

    He said gas remained the only feedstock used in generating  70 per cent of electricity consumed in the country and that NNPC is not leaving any stone unturned to maximise its potentials.

    To make the projects come to fruition by 2020, the state oil firm is constantly holding meetings on the issue, in order to ascertain the level of developments on the project.

    He said NNPC has fixed next week for a meeting with the stakeholders.   It has also directed the Project Management Office (PMO) to discuss with the operators of the project on their problems, needs among other things, that would help in bringing the project to fruition.

    PMO is a department charged with the responsibility of accesing the status of the seven critical gas development projects, among other initiatives spearheaded by the corporation.

    Ughamadu said:” Two issues are vital to the success of the projects, and NNPC has taken care of them.  First is the issue of engagement with the operators of the project, and NNPC has directed the Project Management Office to carry out such roles.

    “Frankly speaking, the level of engagement between NNPC and other key stakeholders on the issue is very high. The aim is to know  the status of the projects, challenges facing the projects and the institutions/facilities that would help in improving the operation of the projects. These can be referred to as enablers  that are critical to the growth of the project.

    Ughamadu said the oil firm has fixed December 10, this year for a Steering Committee Meeting on the projects.

    He said the 2020 deadline set aside for the implementation of the seven critical gas development projects is sancrosant, adding that NNPC has concluded plans to meet the deadline.

    NNPC  had put in place measures to ensure effective utilisation and commercialisation of gas in the country.This made the corporation to invest in the seven critical gas development projects in the country.

    NNPC’s  Group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru said the corporation is keen on using some of the new projects such as the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline project to open up not only the gas corridor, but to also ensure that power plants that are built can inject stability into the national grid.

  • 89 communities to enjoy projects

    Eighty-nine communities in Akwa Ibom State have benefited from the Community and Social Development Projects (CSDP) financed by the state and federal governments in partnership with the World Bank.

    CSDP’s General Manager Ishmael Akpan spoke yesterday at an advocacy and awareness creation meeting with reporters.

    He said over N686.90 million was disbursed to complete 171 micro projects in 89 communities in 11 councils.

    Akpan said the government was committed to making life better for people of rural communities, by touching lives of the poor and vulnerable through micro-projects facilitated by the agency.

    He noted that of the 31 councils, the World Bank permitted the agency to intervene in 11.

    “…eighty-nine communities are benefitting from the Community and Social Development Projects, with 268 being envisaged. One hundred and seventy-one Micro Projects have been completed, comprising 13 health centres, 12 school blocks, 30 (24 sets each) open market stalls, 39 motorised borehole, 24 electricity extension, five culverts/drainage, two VIP toilets, 45 town hall/civic centres and a viewing centre.”

    The general manager explained that besides, 56 micro projects were on. He added that these projects were enhancing the standard of living of the people.

    Akpan noted that the community usually decides the projects to undertake, and the agency facilitates funding, training and technical know-how.

    He urged the communities to maintain and protect the projects.

    Akpan promised the government would continue to partner donor agencies to attract projects to more communities.