News
Nigeria Loses N17trn From Abandoned Projects
The Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN) has expressed concerns about the indiscriminate abandonment of projects in Nigeria.
It has also noted from research, that over 56,000 abandoned projects valued over N17trillion were littered across the country.
Team Lead of the Practice Sub-Committee of Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria, Inimi Stephen, made the disclosure, at their Annual General Meeting, investiture, induction, DUCAP training and award in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at the weekend.
According to Stephen, Nigeria’s project environment has been characterized by a lot of failures and lots of abandoned projects.
He said cultural attitude of Nigerians towards projects execution is at variance with what is obtainable in other climes.
The team lead noted: “One of the peculiarities Nigeria has is that, there are so many things that occur in Nigeria that do not occur anywhere in the world. For example, let’s look at our culture. If you are managing a project in America, you would work from Monday to Sunday.
“But, in Nigeria, if you are managing a project in the South and you want your workers to come to work on Sunday, they (workers) would tell you, no, they are Christians. In the same vein, when you go to the North, on Fridays, they wouldn’t want to go to work.”
He disclosed: “A research was done and it was observed that over 56,000 projects had been abandoned in Nigeria. The value is worth over N17trillion and it is still counting.
“Some of these projects even if you complete them now would not be used. They are already obsolete. And some of them, in order to complete them, would cost four or five times their original budget.
“So, one of the mandates of this institute is to ensure that one, project management in Nigeria would now change this narrative. Nigeria is labelled by a lot of countries as projects management graveyard. If you drive along the roads, you see a lot of abandoned projects. It is very disheartening.
“So, we developed a methodology called DUCAP, which means Delivering Unified Contemporary Aggregated Project. This methodology was developed by professionals who came together and developed a methodology that would work for Nigerian projects”.
According to him, the institute was equipping its members through training, to enable them to overcome challenges that might confront them while executing projects.
“So, we designed courses that handle all these peculiarities that are unique to Nigerians”.
Another official of the CIPMN, Mrs. Victoria Okoronkwo, said the institute hosted the event in Port Harcourt, so that people in the zone would know that project management is no longer business as usual.”People should look at project management as what would help us develop this nation.”
On how to address the incessant building collapse, Okoronkwo said CIPMN wants to address it through getting members and by extension making members being involved in all projects execution.
“And whenever any project because a substandard project, we hold that person responsible. But, for now, we don’t have our people in the projects because we are just coming up.”
Vice Chairman of CIPMN Resources, Peter Latebe, said project management develops a nation, because “with good project management, you cut down on costs, your projects are on time, you ensure quality, you prevent building collapse, you prevent abandon projects.
“Nigerians today, have a lot of abandoned projects. It is so because the project managers are not there. Or, the project managers have not been able to use a methodology that suits the Nigerian environment.”
The theme of the programme is: ‘Driving National Development and Sustainability: Effective Project Management – The Engine Room’.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
