Rivers
HYPREP Holds Performance Review Meeting With Contractors …Urges Speedy Completion Of Projects
The Acting Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof. Philip Shekwolo, has charged contractors handling both remediation and water contracts to expedite action towards the speedy completion of the projects.
Shekwolo gave the charge during a performance review meeting held with contractors at the Project Coordination Office (PCO) in Port Harcourt, recently.
He stated that the project will not condone any delays to the completion of projects, and particularly frowned at the slow pace of work on some sites and warned that some remediation contractors could risk revocation of their contracts if they do not intensify efforts in completing their contracts on record time.
He stressed that although HYPREP is disposed to growing the capacity of local contractors, it will be raising the bar in subsequent contracts to allow for more financially viable remediation companies to come in, adding that this is against the backdrop of contractors’ claims of delays occasioned by lack of funds. “Records show that HYPREP pays contractors based on milestones they have achieved,” he said.
Shekwolo noted that HYPREP has stepped up performance monitoring measures to further assess contractors’ performance and urged them to take advantage of the dry season to complete their works.
The Project Coordinator further enjoined contractors to ensure proper housekeeping by demobilising from sites upon completion of work to avoid vandalism of their equipment.
Speaking on the sustainability plans for water, the Project Coordinator revealed that the Central Representative Advisory Committee (CRAC) has been assigned to set up community-based water consumers’ committees and provide them with the Terms of Reference (ToR).
Representative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Mike Cowing, who was present at the meeting commended HYPREP for organising the interactive session with contractors, stating that it is a good platform to ‘track progress made, identify challenges and re-strategise’.
He urged HYPREP to tighten the processes to ensure that contractors meet up the timeline for project completion.
In his intervention, the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) representative on the project, Engr. Clark Ekiyokenegha, expressed the company’s expectations for timely project delivery and assured of the oil giant’s support to the project. “We want to see HYPREP succeed,” he said.
Ekiyokenegha observed that there is a lack of adherence to work plans and urged contractors to show roadmaps on how they intend to complete the projects.
He further urged contractors to utilise the instrument of collaboration by setting up regular meetings with HYPREP representatives on sites.
A similar position was stressed by the Head, Security of HYPREP, Commander Owens Izokpu, who called for collaboration, especially in information sharing between the project and contractors for hitch-free operations on sites.
The contractors took turns to give their scorecards. Most of the remediation contractors assured of completing works before the end of March, 2022.
The water contractors in their separate presentations noted that significant milestones have been recorded in their contracts.
Expectations are high that potable water will soon be provided in communities in Ogoniland. The next phase of the water contracts will cater for more communities in Ogoniland.
The performance review meeting is aimed at forging an interactive platform for HYPREP and its contractors to evaluate the milestones achieved in terms of project delivery, identify challenges and proffer solutions to them in a bid to ensuring that the project is delivered in good time. The Project Coordinator assured that the interface with contracts will be regular.
By: Donatus Ebi
The leader of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area Simplified Movement, Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo, has unveiled a N10 million grant aimed at empowering women in Ward 1 of Obio/Akpor LGA.
Making the announcement during the recently concluded Obio/Akpor Ward 1 town hall meeting, Ihunwo revealed that the grant will be distributed in amounts of N100,000 to 20 women per community, including non-indigenes.
He stated that the gesture is a token of appreciation for the women’s unwavering support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Ihunwo emphasised the Governor’s commitment to ensuring that Ward 1, Obio/Akpor LGA, and Rivers State as a whole benefit from good governance.
Special Adviser on Power to the Governor, Hon. Solomon Abel Eke, highlighted the transparency and fairness that define the current leadership of the Obio/Akpor Simplified Movement, assuring that it operates without nepotism or impunity.
During the event, former leader of the Obio/Akpor Legislative Assembly, Hon. Achor Nna, criticised former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Amaewhule, who is also from Ward 1, for actions deemed uncharacteristic of true sons of Obio/Akpor LGA.
Also in attendance at the town hall meeting were Hon. Darlington Orji, Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Governor of Rivers State, along with other prominent figures as well as other sons and daughters of Obio/Akpor.
They congratulated the new Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, and collectively reaffirmed their support for the Fubara-led administration, underscoring a shared commitment to the progress and development of Rivers State.
Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
The Rivers State Executive Council, on Wednesday, approved N225 billion for the construction of the Trans-Kalabari Road project.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Joseph Johnson, disclosed this while briefing newsmen after the State Executive Council meeting.
The meeting was presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the state Government House in Port Harcourt.
He said the project would be funded with savings from the state’s Internally Generated Revenue.
“We shall not borrow to fund the project. We are bent on generating money to fund our projects”, he said.
Johnson stated that the contractor had been mobilised with 30 per cent of the contract, worth to commence implementation.
The commissioner further said the project would be completed within a period of 32 months.
“This is the main Trans-Kalabari Road, the one that happened in the past was building of bridges.
“We are now doing a Trans-Kalabari Road that will run from NSS Pathfinder, immediately after Mgbuodohia community and extend to about 2km to the Aker Base Road in Rumuolumeni”, he said.
He also said the road would pass through the swamps behind the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, moving southwards towards the first bridge crossing.
“It will continue through a series of bridges, connecting many communities up to Tombia Town.
“The road will traverse very difficult terrains of swamp across rivers and creeks upon which series of bridges, decking and piling works will be done”, he said.
The Commissioner further said the state recently recorded some giant strides in the sporting sector.
Also briefing, the Acting Director-General, Rivers State Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr Ine Briggs, explained that the bureau diligently managed the proceedings leading to the award of the Trans-Kalabari road contract.
Briggs said the submissions of the state Ministry of Works were reviewed and all the supporting documents examined by the Ministry.
“Having fulfilled all the necessary procurement procedures and guidelines as prescribed by the Rivers State Public Procurement Law 2008 as amended, the Bureau is satisfied that all the elements leading to this award is sufficient to issue a certificate of no objection.
“Therefore, in consideration of all the relevant documents submitted by the Ministry of Works pursuant to the construction of Trans-Kalabari Road and bridges, the Bureau has issued the certificate of no objection, and that the contract be awarded to Lubrick Construction Company Limited”, Briggs said.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Joseph Johnson, has said the ongoing dualisation of the Elele/Umudioga/ Egbeda/Ikiri/Omoku Road was awarded at N80 billion.
Johnson disclosed this in Port Harcourt yesterday while speaking to newsmen on the achievements of the Governor Siminalaye Fubara-led administration after one year in office.
He said the road, which cuts across three Local Government Areas, would facilitate easy movement of people and goods, saying “it will boost cross-community commerce.
“The farming communities along this area will find it easy to move their produce to markets in neighbouring towns.
“This project is a deliberate effort to make movement easy for our people, it’s no politics but service delivery”.
The Commissioner said the State Government had already paid 50 per cent of the contract value amounting to N40 billion.
“We are not paying lip service to governance, we mean business. We want Rivers people to see something new.
“We have devised ways of generating money to fund our projects, we are not indulging in any borrowing festival”, he said.
Analysts say the state capital will be decongested if the government successfully implements the line up of road projects in the state.
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