EDO State Government has officially handed over the sites of Auchi and Queen Ede, Benin gully erosion projects to the civil engineering contractors who were successful in the bidding processes, thereby signifying the mobilization to site by the contractors.
The contractors are Setraco Nigeria Limited for the Auchi gully erosion project and Hitech Construction Company Limited for Queen Ede gully erosion project in
Ogbeson quarters, Benin City.
According to a statement signed by Oladipo Airenakho, Communication Assistant of NEWMAP contracts are being funded by Edo State Government with the assistance
of the World Bank under the auspices of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).
Speaking at the handing-over ceremony in Auchi, the Edo State Project Coordinator of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), Engineer John Adisa, explained that the event was a milestone in the intervention works on the gully erosion problem in the community.
Engineer Adisa who was represented by the Head of NEWMAP Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Sam Aigbirio , explained that the event marked the commencement of civil works at the site and thanked members of Auchi community for the support extended to the State Project Management Unit all through the various processes.
In his remarks at the ceremony, the Chairman of Auchi Erosion Monitoring Committee, Alhaji Azeez Ogboanor expressed the gratitude of members of the affected communities to Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the state Commissioner for Environment, Chief Oem Agba for the award of the gully erosion project to a reputable company.
Alhaji Ogboanor also commended the efforts of the World Bank and the Federal Government in making the construction and rehabilitation of the Auchi Oshiobugie gully erosion site realizable.
Representatives of Setraco Nigeria Limited, Mr. Michael Rezer and Victor Okoroafor while signing the necessary documents on behalf of the contracting firm stressed that Setraco was well known for good engineering works and would demonstrate its expertise in Auchi gully erosion project.
Edo NEWMAP Project Engineer, Edwin Ero signed for the State Government. While a representative bf the international consulting firm, Aurecon and members of the affected communities also witnessed the event.
The NEWMAP team and officials of Setraco and Aurecon as well as some members of the affected communities later paid a courtesy call on the Otaru of Auchi, His Royal Highness Haliru A. Momoh, Ikelebe I where details of the project were further explained.
Completion period for the World Bank-assisted Edo State government gully erosion project in Auchi is 24 months.
In a related development, the Queen Ede gully erosion site in Ogbeson quarters, Benin City has been handed over to the contractor, Hitech Construction Company Limited.
At the handing-over ceremony, the Project Engineer of Edo State Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), Edwin Ero explained that the preliminary work on the project started four years ago with the design which was eventually reviewed and approved.
Engineer Ero, who stood in for the State Project Coordinator, Engineer John Adisa, disclosed that the award of the contract was a “dream come true” for the State Government and members of the community as the gully erosion problem had caused much damage to properties in the area.
Also speaking, spokesman of the community, Barrister Sunday Imolode, drew attention to the problem which would have cost little money to fix when it started twenty-five years ago; but was now being tackled with huge sums of money.
Barr. Imolode commended the efforts of Edo State Government in finding a lasting solution to the problem and assured of the cooperation of the community in the successful execution of the project.
Highlight of the ceremony was the signing of the necessary documents by the Project Manager of Hi-tech Construction Company, Mr. Sachin Rumsunder and officials of the State Government and the consulting firm, Aurecon as well as a representative of the community.
The contract for the Queen Ede gully erosion project is expected to be executed within eighteen months.
