FG gives Asa Irrigation contractor two weeks to complete project
NAN-AE-15
Project
By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
Ilorin, Nov. 10, 2016 (NAN) The Fiscal Responsibility Commission on Thursday gave the contractor handling the Asa Irrigation project two weeks to complete the project.
The commission’s Head of Planning Research and Statistics Directorate, Mrs Mariam Mohammed gave the instruction while inspecting the project in Ballah, Asa Local Government Area of Kwara.
She said that, though the contractor, Mr Kayode Sangoyomi, said that the project has been completed and handed over since last year, but it was discovered that all the scope of coverage has not been completed.
Mohammed, who led the inspection team, said that though the solar borehole has been drilled, but yet to bring forth water.
”Although, the contractor said that the project has been completed and handed over, the solar borehole isn’t working yet, so as far as we are concerned, it is still work in progress.
”So, we are giving them the opportunity to meet with the client of the contract, which is the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority to get professionals to check the status of the borehole and come up with a solution.
”They have to get geophysics to do a new survey, which will make the borehole functional.
”After two weeks, we will come back for the inspection and if it isn’t working then, we will know what to do, but payment cannot be made when all the scopes have not been covered, “Mohammed said.
She, however, commended the initiator of the project, Ministry of Water Resources and the Lower Niger River Basin Development.
”The job is of immense benefit, but the government will need to do more because the job is not complete.
”This phase that was inspected, which is almost completed is in preparation to having an irrigation dam.
”We have seen about 25 hectares of land that has been cleared and shared out to farmers, which have been put to use already.
”We also saw the road linking the project site to Ajia village, which is good because it will ease transportation of farm produce.
”So, I am impressed, the only thing left is the borehole, though; it is to serve the farmers for irrigation purposes.
”Aside from this, that place has been opened up for further development, “she said.
Mr Chuba Umechukwu, from the Irrigation and Drainage Department, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, said that all options had not yet been tried before their conclusion that the borehole could not supply water.
”We have seen all the facilities on ground, but the borehole isn’t prolific, so, I suggested some measures to see if it can at least supply little water for them.
”And again, they said its rainfed irrigation because they are hoping there should be a dam, which has not been done, my question therefore is, have they done the design and feasibility studies.
”Also, we are not sure they did the geophysics studies for the borehole well or they are just doing blind drilling, these are what had not been fully answered.
“This and other issues we have given them a deadline to do, and we have told the contractor that, it may not be smile as we have it today, when we come back in two weeks time, ” Umechukwu said.
The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the project was awarded to Tos Global Concept Ventures Ltd on Oct. 22, 2012 for N99, 606, 937. 50.
As at the completion of the project, N90, 941, 040.63 has been paid with N8, 665, 896. 87 left to be paid. (NAN)
BAY/KOLE/AFA
Edited by Remi Koleoso/Felix Ajide
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