…ICPC: Prof. Owasanoye, commended EPO for it’s interventionist work at the Academy
By Hillary Asemota
The Permanent Secretary of Ecological Project Office (EPO), Malam Ibrahim Shehu, has stated that the Office intervention works which is at completion stages will mitigate flooding and erosion challenges in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and neighbouring Násarawa State.
While promising that the Federal Government through the Office will roll out more interventionist projects across the country based on fund availability even as he expressed satisfaction that the initiative will bring development, government’s presence and succor to the people.
The EPO boss made the disclosure while conducting Contractors, Consultants, Staff of the Office and Journalists on inspection tour of some project sites at the FCT and Násarawa State.
The sites visited include: Erosion control and Gully mitigation in Kuchigoro/Karamajiji, FCT, Abuja: Construction of Bridge, Culverts and Upgrading of Roads at Lugbe 1 Cadastral Zone 07 – 07, Lugbe, FCT, Abuja, Erosion Control and Road Improvement Works at Wasa to Gude Central (Phase 1) FCT, Abuja and Gully Erosion and Flood Control Works in Tafawa Balewa Way, Area 3 Garki, FCT, Abuja.
The Permanent Secretary, expressed satisfaction on the quality of work done by the contractors and commended their ability to keep to the contractual terms on the job specifications and timelines for completion.
At the Kuchigoro/Karamajiji, Erosion and Gully Works, the Permanent Secretary, commended the National President, Greater Gbagi Development Initiative, Prince Gbaiza Gimba on the constitution of the Vanguard Committee for their initiative to safeguard the project from being turned into a waste dump, adding that government will not be encouraged to do more for the people if there is no change of attitude towards government projects.
At the Wasa-Gude project site, the Permanent Secretary informed that the erosion control and road improvement works will ease the flow of traffic along the Karshi-Nyanya-Abuja axis, unlock socio- economic activities by boosting agricultural activities and curbing post-harvest losses by the farming communities around the route.
The Permanent Secretary was also at the Anti – Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), Keffi, Nasarawa State in continuation of his inspection tour to projects around the FCT and its environs, where he inspected the erosion control works including the construction of retaining walls, concrete drains and back filling at the academy complex.
At the ACAN site, the Permanent Secretary who was impressed with the work added that what gives him happiness is the testimonies of beneficiaries of the government’s intervention projects reiterating the government’s readiness to do its best to continue to safeguard the lives and properties of Nigerians and enhance their wellbeing.
Speaking, the Chairman, of the Independent Corruption Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, who was represented by the Provost of the Academy, Prof. Babatunde Babawale, was full of praise on EPO’s prompt response to their requests.
He said: “We never know we could reclaim this land, we are glad and excited over the project.”
He however appealed for further intervention and for a more holistic approach, “we want it extended further to save us from the embarrassment of flooding”, he said.
In a remark, the Chairman of Keffi Local Government Area, Alhaji Muhammad Babashehu, said he was very happy and overwhelmed to see this ultra-modern gigantic project in Keffi.
XxxHe commended the EPO and the academy for drawing the project to in the town.
Other projects visited by the Permanent Secretary are the Erosion and Road Improvement Works at the Solutionist Estate in Karshi, Abuja with the construction of Trapezoidal drain, construction of culverts, concrete slabs, pavement and surfacing and The River Channelization and Slope Protection Works within the Maitama District , Abuja.