NDDC ABANDONED PROJECTS: YOUR REPORT & POSITION PAPER WILL BE A PREREQUISITE
WEAPON FOR ME TO FIGHT, BUNMI TUNJI-OJO TELLS NIGER DELTA STAKEHOLDERS
The Chairman House Committee on NDDC in the House of Representatives, Hon. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, has assured the Niger Delta Stakeholders’ that the report and position paper submitted to his office will serve as a good weapon for him to fight.
This position paper was produced and presented to Hon. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo today 16th February, 2021 in Abuja by a Coalition of Interest Groups and Organisation in Ondo State led by Prince Poroye Biyi Bill, Executive Director of Great Patriots for Better Initiative.
Bunmi Tunji-Ojo while speaking, applauded the groups for their efforts and approach in handling the situation and encouraged the same approach across the remaining 8 Niger Delta States.
Below is the position presented:
POSITION PAPER SUBMITTED BY A COALITION OF INTEREST GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN ONDO STATE TO THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NDDC, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AT A STAKEHOLDERS’ MEETING HELD AT NERA HOTEL, ABUJA ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021.
PREAMBLE
Borne out of the passion to increase transparency, accountability and foster development at the grasstroots, the tracking and reporting of abandoned projects by the NigerDelta Development Commission (NDDC) has become necessary to articulate the incessant calls by citizens and stakeholders of the region for the completion of abandoned projects across Ondo State as a part of the core mandate areas covered by the activities of the NDDC.
Dear Honour Chairman, we are attracted to engage you on this level on behalf our several communities from your understanding goodwills and sterling leadership.We hope this effort would produce a great outcome for our people.We are not surprised about the height you have attained today.May God lift you more.
INTRODUCTION
We have decided to come together as a coalition and interest groups that is committed to the development of Ondo state and its people, and ensuring that NDDC serve our people as contained in the NDDC Act. The organizations and groups in this coalition include:the Niger Delta Major Stakeholders Forum, Niger Delta Youth Movement (Ondo State Chapter), Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ondo South Advancement and Welfare Consultative Forum (OSAWA), Follow The Projects (Technocrat Media), Solidarity for Good Governance Forum, Great Patriots for Better Initiative (GPBI), Ondo South Coalition (OSC), Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and Ondo State Advancement for Development (OSAD).
We would like to put on record that we are not interested in mentioning names or pointing accusing fingers nor blackmailing anyone or officials but we are interested and motivated by the spirit to see NDDC projects completed across our communities and being into use by our people in the pursuit of the realization of the mandate of the Commission.
We are using this medium to appeal to you, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and your Committee to look into the cases of abandoned multibillion-naira projects in Ondo state most critically at Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Okitipupa, Irele, Odigbo, Oke-AgbeAkoko, Akure and other numerous locations and communities across our Ondo State.
Dear Honourable Chairman, the several groupsas contained in this position paper went into our communities and found out that there are several abandoned projects which are too many to be ignored or allowed to continue unabated. Please, permit us to mention some of these projects as follow:
List of Abandoned Projects in Ilaje local government
Project: Reclamation of Idiepe-Ode Etikan & Ogo Olowayo Communities Phase 1 | Reclamation of 45.7 Hectares, dredge, hydraulically sand fill with shore sand, construction of dytes
Location: Igbonla, Ilaje LGA
Contractor: Land pilling & Dredging International Ltd.
Contract Sum: 3,676,530,000.00 NGN
Year of Award: 2012
Sponsor: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Project: Reclamation and sand filling of Ikirigho/Ikorigho zion, Ilaje LGA | Reclaim, 65.54 Hectares, shore protection 1,600m of shore line, Galfan coated Reno mattress, construction of 3 landing aprons
Location: Ilaje LGA
Contractor: United Dominion Construction Company
Contract Sum: 3,649,942,758.00 NGN
Year of Award: 2012
Sponsor: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Project: Rehabilitation of 6 Classroom Blocks with Toilet and Office Com. Primary School, Kelema Igbokoda, Ilaje
Location: Igbokoda, Ilaje LGA
Contractor:Ladak Nigeria Enterprises
Contract Sum:
Amount Paid: 15, 499, 123.18 NGN
Year of Award:
Sponsor: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Project: Construction of 12 Block of Classroom with Composite Structure at Mogohen, Ilaje
Location: Ilaje LGA
Contractor:Preminence Multi Project Ltd.
Contract Sum:
Amount Paid: 18, 213, 775.25 NGN
Year of Award:
Sponsor: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Project: Engineering Study and Design of the Canalization of Atuepe to Eremi Alape in Ilaje
Location: Ilaje LGA
Contractor:Geo Benchmark Konsults
Contract Sum:
Amount Paid: 40, 500, 000.00 NGN
Year of Award:
Sponsor: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Project: Ayetoro Shoreline Protection Project
Location: Ilaje LGA
Contractor:
Contract Sum:12, 000, 000, 000.00 NGN
Amount Paid:
Year of Award:
Sponsor: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Project: Obe Rebimino Sand-Filling Project
Location: Ilaje LGA
Contractors:
Contract Sum:3, 700, 000, 000.00 NGN
Amount Paid:
Year of Award:
Sponsor: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Project: 21 Town Hall Projects
Location: Ilaje LGA
Contractors:
Contract Sum:1, 760, 000, 000.00 NGN
Amount Paid:
Year of Award:
Sponsor: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Project: 9 Basic Health Centres
Location: Ilaje LGA
Contractors:
Contract Sum:1, 920, 000, 000.00 NGN
Amount Paid:
Year of Award:
Construction of two KM Road in Ereke township road – abandoned
Sponsor: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Project: Design of walkway with embankment linking five communities from Ilepete to Obenla in Ilaje LGA | Embankement, walkway 25meters |
Location: Ilaje LGA
Contractor:Riverbrook Energy Ltd.
Contract Sum: 1,387,337,316.67 NGN
Year of Award: 2012
N19 billion Ugbo-Oghoye road,
N8 billion Awoye-Molutehin sand filling,
Mahintedo-itebu-kunmimadagbayu road
7.7 km Zion-pepe/ Agerige road
N12 billion Ayetoro Shore Protection,
N6 billion construction of concrete walkway from Idiogba to Obe axis,
N16 billion re-canalisation of Ararome-Oghoye road,
N2.7 billion sand filling of Obe Enikanselu and
Engineering Study and Design of the Canalization of Atuepe to Eremi Alape in Ilaje
List of Abandoned Projects in Okitipupa local government
Sponsor: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Project: Construction of University Hostel.
Location: Ondo State University of Science & Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State
Commencement: March 2010
Contract Duration – 24 months
Project Description: Hostel rooms with ancillary facilities spread over 3 Floors.
Contract sum:
Contractor: Breben Nig. Ltd. Address: Suite 206, Gotheg Plaza14, Port-Harcourt-Aba Express way, Port-Harcourt.
Percentage Completion: 35%
Project: The Construction of Mapamile Street, Okitipupa, Okitipupa L.G.A, Okitipupa, Ondo State.
Contractor: Onegheyeun Global Services Ltd.
Contract Sum:
Year of Award:
Project: Contract for The HT/TDN Electrification.
Location: Mapamile Street, Okitipupa L.G.A, Ondo State.
Contractor:Awkay Nig. Limited.
Contract Sum:
Year of Award:
Project: Emergency Repair
Location: Ojueromi Faboye Road and Upper Itedo Street, Lga: Okitipupa
Contractor: Eminad Nig. Ltd
Projects: Construction of 1km Township Road
Location: Ajose Street, Okitipupa LGA.
Contractor: Altor Nigeria Limited, Ikale Street, Ijapo Estate, Akure, Ondo State.
Contract Sum:
Year of Award:
Project: Instruction for Repairs of Failed and Un-motorable Sessions of John Kay Street, Okitipupa, Okitipupa LGA, Ondo state
Contractor:Harymod Unique Standard Ltd
Contract Sum:
Year of Award:
Sponsor: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Project: Construction of Solar Powered Water Project in Igodan, Okitipupa LGA
Location: Okitipupa LGA
Contractor:Little Jordan Global Service Ltd.
Contract Sum:
Amount Paid: 3, 940, 804.29 NGN
Year of Award:
Sponsor: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Project: Installation of 1 No 300KVA Transformer at Ayenuro Quarters Prince Off Irele Road, Ayeka, Okitipupa LGA
Location: Okitipupa LGA
Contractor:Starpac Mega Services
Contract Sum:
Amount Paid: 3, 864, 6060.08 NGN
Year of Award:
Sponsor: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Project: Construction of Solar Powered Water Project at Akinfoslie, Okitipupa LGA
Location: Okitipupa LGA
Contractor:T and C Resources Nig. Ltd.
Contract Sum:
Amount Paid: 15, 458, 372.34 NGN
Year of Award:
Sponsor: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Project: Installation of 1 No 300KVA Transformer at Ode-Erinje, Okitipupa LGA
Location: Okitipupa LGA
Contractor:TIB Link Enterprises
Contract Sum:
Amount Paid: 3, 774, 356.08 NGN
Year of Award:
Igbotako Town Hall by NDDC in Okitipupa LGA – abandoned
Igbotako/Ode-Aye Road by NDDC in Okitipupa LGA– abandoned
List of Abandoned Projects in Ese-Odo local government
Project: Construction of Internal Roads with Rigid Pavement (LOTS 2) spreading through Pa Williams Street, Market Road, Shining Star Street, &Tamuke Road all at Igbekebo, Ese-Odo LG, Ondo state.
Contractor:Fondee Nig. LTD
Contract Sum:
Year of Award:
Sponsor: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Project: Construction of Internal Road with Rigid Pavement
Location:Igbekebo, Ese-Odo LGA
Contractor: Magnum & Hunter Ltd.
Contract Sum:
Year of Award: 2017
Sponsor: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Project: Construction of Arogbo town shore protection | Clear 10 hectares, installation of Geotextile filters behind sheet pile wall-65,000m2, dredge river sand and backfill behind the sheet pile wall 97, 500m2
Location: Ese-Odo LGA
Contractor: Teresam Ven. Ltd.
Contract Sum: 4,865,092,155.00 NGN
Year of Award: 2012
Construction of Agadaba Obo/Arogbo Flyover Bridge – abandoned
Construction of Igbotu-Sabomi Road Project – abandoned
Construction of Kiribo Agadagba-Obon Road Project – abandoned
Rural Electrification Project in Ebijoh in Ese-Odo local government – abandoned
Ajapa Township Electricity Project in Ese-Odo LGA – abandoned
Water Project in Ajapa, Ese-Odo LGA – abandoned
Construction of Basic Health and Comprehensive Health Centre, Igbobini – abandoned
Arogbo Shore Line Protection Project–abandoned
Ukparama Water Scheme – abandoned
Ministry of Niger Delta/Water Project Bolowo – abandoned
Water Scheme, Akpata, Ese-Odo – abandoned
Construction of a jetty at Biagbini – abandoned
List of Abandoned Projects in Irele local government
Sponsor: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Project: Contract for the HT/TDN Electrification for NDDC – Ayeka Road, Irele
Location: Ode-Irele, Irele LGA
Contractor:Blisscom Superior Venture
Sponsor: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Project: Road and Bridge Construction Project linking Ondo with Edo state
Location: Akotogbo in Irele LGA, Ondo linking Siloko in Edo State
Year of Award: 2015
Furthermore, it is saddening to inform this august gathering that as a result of the degree of culture of abandonement of projects by NDDC contractors, especially in Ondo State, this has resulted in lost of several communities (Mese, Ayetoro, Abereke, Awoye, Gbagira e.t.c) to ocean surge, lost of means of livelihood and environmental degradation. And if urgent action is not taken, several other communities will suffer similar fate in the nearest future.
Human Capital Development
According to Development Economics, The heart of development is the quality of life of the people that inhabit a particular region. We believe that is why NDDC projects are classified into Capital and Human Development Projects. Over the last 10 years, Ondo state youths have not been benefitting from the various youths empowernments/programmes enlisted in the NDDC budget.
We therefore request that the following programmes should be addressed as follows:
Youth empowernment.
NDDC should rejig her technical and vocational training for the youths, and also empower those that are trained
NDDC Post Graduate scholarship.
We only read the names of awardees on paper and dallies, and in most cases, the beneficiaries are not from the core oil producing region. our position is that NDDC scholarship should be domesticated to Nigerian Universities to allow for wider coverage. For instance, not less than $50 thousand expended on a student abroad, will sponsor over 40 students in Nigeria
Technical aids and water hyacinth
To curb the rate of unemployment in the region, the board embarks on these programmes through budgetary provision. Ondo state youths are yet to benefit from these programmes, only few lobby for their personal slot.
RECOMMENDATIONs AND DEMANDs
That all contractors who have been paid either recently or in the past should be encouraged and mandated to move back to sites and complete the projects awarded to them respectively.
Appointment Of NDDC Managing Director From Ondo State
Mr. chairman, the NDDC Act is a product of National Assembly, and we expect that the provisions in the ACT should be strictly adhere to in the appointment of Members of the Board. By virtue of Section 12 (1) of NDDC Act which provides as follows, “There shall be for the Commission, a Managing Director, and two Executive Directors who shall be indigenes of oil producing areas starting with the member states of the Commission with the highest producing quantum of oil and shall rotate amongst member states in the order of Production”. By history of appointment of Managing Director since inception of the commission, it is the turn of Ondo state to produce the next Managing Director. We beseech you to use your esteemed office to advice Mr. President accordingly
That all contractors who are due for payments for work done and works to be done should be adequately mobilised and paid.
We also recommend that NDDC takes immediate and urgent action to protect communities that are suffering from ocean surge such as Mese, Awoye, Ayetoro etc.
For effective implementation of awarded projects, we advice that the commission should set-up an Independent Project Monitoring Committee ( IPMC), whose membership should be drawn from established stakeholders from the region.
The house committee on NDDC should facilitate Ondo State stakeholders meeting with Senate Committee on NDDC, Minister for Niger Delta Affairs and the Sole Administrator of NDDC.
It is our belief that if these recommendation are considered and effort geared to turn action to reality, the resultant outcome will not only benefit Ondo state Niger delta area alone but the entire Niger delta state. (Since your mandate covers 9 Niger Delta States).
That the House Committee on NDDC should create a structured working mechanism between the Commission, the mandate areas and the House Committee
That the House Committee should facilitate more capital projects to the mandate areas and completion of ongoing projects in Ondo state.
CONCLUSION
We are privy to your passionate, equitability and responsive nature, we have no doubt that you will carefully go through our submission and do justice to the outcry of the people who by the NDDC Act should be the beneficiaries of developmental projects and welfare from the Commission.
Prince Biyi Poroye
Chairman of the Coalitio
