ABUJA—Federal Government has vowed to complete all ongoing projects being handled by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs for the benefit of the region and its people.
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, who gave the assurance during a fact-finding tour to the gully erosion site at Nkwoagu Isuochi along the Okpuihute- Igwebuike road in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, assured that no project would be abandoned.
The contract for the road project was awarded by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in year 2010 and about 10km of the 35km road had been completed.
The minister said: ‘’This contract was awarded in 2010, it is disheartening to note that six years after we are where we are.
‘’It shows that the contract awarding agency, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs was not responsive enough in checking the contractor to ensure that a project like this was conclusively handled in good stead.
“This is an on-going project and we have the determination to continue with it and other on-going projects in the Niger Delta region, no project will be abandoned.”
Pastor Usani also visited the erosion site at Oguduasaa in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State.
It was revealed that the way the road project was being constructed by the contractor contributed to the fast debilitating effect of the erosion.
The minister disclosed that the Federal Government would do something to remedy the gully erosion problem in that community and other places in the Niger Delta through consultation and collaboration among the Federal Ministries of Niger Delta Affairs, Environment, the Ecological Fund Office, the Niger Delta Development Commission, state governments and other stakeholders.
Pastor Usani also said that having seen what was on ground he would discuss with the acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Ibim Semenitari, to ensure timely allocation of resources to ongoing projects in the Niger Delta.
The minister noted that the destruction of the nation’s oil and gas installations was affecting the nation’s economy, thereby slowing the pace of delivery of projects in the Niger Delta and other parts of the nation.
He advised people to allow peace to reign for meaningful development in the Niger Delta and the country.
In her remarks, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Nkiruka Onyejeochi, who represents Umunneochi and Isiukwuato Federal Constituency, Abia State, blamed the contractor handling the road project for negligence and incompetence.
According to her, the contractor caused the gully erosion menace in the community.
Onyejeochi advised that appropriate action be taken by the Federal Government against the contractor.
In view of the magnitude of the devastating effect of the gully erosion on the people and the road, Onyejeochi solicited for urgent and prompt action of the Federal Government to remedy the situation on time.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/wont-abandon-ongoing-projects-n-delta-fg/
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