Enugu Govt commences N2.1bn rural development projects
NAN-H-60
Projects
By Emmanuel Acha
Enugu, Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN) The Enugu State Government on Saturday has commenced its N2.1 billion rural development projects in all the 17 local government areas of the state.
The Commencement ceremony took place simultaneously at the various projects sites across the state on Saturday.
Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, represented by his Deputy, Mrs Cecelia Ezeilo, performed the ceremony at Udi Local Government Area of the state.
Ugwuanyi said that his administration was not unmindful of the importance of rural development in the socio-economic advancement of the people, strressing that such projects would get to all communities in the state.
He reiterated that the government had no hand in the choice of projects, adding that the various local government areas were instructed to agree on the projects to be executed in their councils.
He charged the contractors handling the various projects to execute the job professionally and on schedule.
“Our government recognises the importance of rural development and when you provide good roads and light to the people it naturally ushers in development,” Ugwuanyi said.
At Aninri Local Government Area, the Commissioner for Works, Chief Patrick Ikpenwa, who performed the ceremony, said that no fewer than 166 contractors bided for the projects.
Ikpenwa said that 134 of the contractors that bided qualified but the state government only selected 35 to execute the first phase of the jobs.
He noted that over 35 new projects, including roads, buildings, borehole and electricity were being executed in the first phase, which he said, would cost N2.1 billion.
“This is the first time in the history of the state that there are concerted efforts by government to involve the people in the process of project selection based on their immediate needs.
“Communities were these projects are sited are urged to own the projects, protect them and make sure government gets value for money spent on them,” Ikpenwa said.
The commissioner said that the projects were scheduled to be completed in December, 2016, adding that the phase two would be launched in 2017.
Ikpenwa said that resident engineers from his ministry would be deployed to project sites to monitor what the contractors were doing.
One of the contractors and a representative of Finotech Construction Company, Mr Tony Ikem, said that they would do their best to deliver quality jobs and on schedule.
In a goodwill message, the member representing Aninri Local Government Area in the State Assembly, Chief Mathias Ekweremadu, said that contractors must work according to specifications or face the wrath of the people.
Ekweremadu, who is the Chief Whip in the state assembly, said that the period contractors did shoddy jobs in the state and got away with them was over.
“You must do the job according to specification or we will go the extra mile ensure you refund whatever is paid to you,” Ekweremadu said.
NAN reports that no fewer than nine different projects being the highest in any of the council areas were approved for Aninri Local Government Area.
The state government had made a commitment to execute projects worth of N300 million in each local government area in its rural development drive. (NAN)
EOA/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha