A’Ibom  Gov Tasks Contractors on Project Compliance, Timely Delivery

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Contractors handling projects ìn Akwa Ibom State have been told to ensure strict compliance to the models and specifications for projects assigned to them in line with the rural development goals of the state government.

Governor Umo Eno gave the charge at Oboyo Ikot Ita, Nsit Ibom LGA, where he laid the foundation for the construction of a Primary Healthcare Centre and flag off of the “One Project-Per-Local Government Area Scheme” in Uyo Senatorial District.

The governor clarified that the choice of the healthcare facility project for Nsit Ibom was the collective wish of the Nsit Ibom stakeholders in line with his administration’s rural development goal of availing communities in the state with functional primary healthcare facilities.

He assured of the state government’s commitment to funding the project to ensure its completion within record period of 12 weeks. 

This, he stressed, would dependent on attainment of measurable milestones and strict compliance with specifications and that machinery has been put in place for monitoring and evaluation of projects.

“We are ready to fund this project as you meet the milestones. We expect that these projects will take just twelve weeks. So from today and the next twelve weeks, we should come and commission this project.

“We have Projects Monitoring and Evaluation Team from the Governor’s Office and we have the Ministry for Special Duties monitoring this project. Those two groups must endorse your IPC before one Naira is released, they will come for assessment. Please stay within the specifications.”

Governor Eno informed communities across the state that government would only undertake projects selected based on collective interest and resolution of stakeholders in the area, which must be within the budget size appropriated for the One Project-Per-LGA Programme.

The governor tasked council chairmen to take responsibility for projects sited within their domains.

“I would like to say again that these projects are chosen by the stakeholders. We have given power back to you so that you can also know how power is. All we are asking is, sit down together, bring everybody together and choose one project for your local government.

 “If you cannot choose, then don’t blame the governor. The days have gone when one man will answer “we.” “We” must be total of all the stakeholders in a community.

“Don’t expect the Governor to be involved in a situation where one person who has access to the Governor will appeal to him and bring one project and then brag tomorrow that he brought the project. Let it be “us” that brought the project. That is what I want across this state,” he stated.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to furthering the agriculture component of the ARISE Agenda towards achieving food sufficiency.

Accordingly, he solicited the cooperation of communities in the state in providing lands for the Ibom Model Farm Projects.

Presenting an overview of the project, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Dr. Bassey Okon, said that the Oboyo Ikot Ita Health Center on completion would be equipped with male and female wards, injection room, a pharmacy, kitchen, restaurant, two semi-detachable bungalows and the premises finished with a good landscape and good parking space for the staff and patients.

Stakeholders expressed gratitude of the people of the area to the governor for favouring Nsit Ibom as starting point for the programme for Uyo Senatorial District, as they acknowledged the siting of the healthcare facility in the rural Oboyo Ikot Ita community as timely response to the yearnings of Nsit Ibom people.