BY EZEKIEL DONTINNA
Over three point two-seven Billion Naira (N3.27b) contract has been signed by Nigeria Erosion and Management Project (NEWMAP) on behalf of the Plateau State Government, for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Munchogopyeng gully erosion intervention site in Jos-South LGA.
The contract which is the second phase of the World Bank Intervention signed after that of Mangu Market Gully Erosion Site was signed at the NEWMAPSigning/Meeting for the engagement of Contractor, held at the Conference hall of Joseph Gomwalk Secretariat Jos, the state capital.
Appreciating the commitment of Governor Simon Lalong in paying the counterpart fund to World Bank, the Plateau State Project Coordinator of NEWMAP, Engr. Levi Gofwen, said, “we signed that of Mangu and the contractor is ready to mobilize to site and this same will also follow suit. This is important because the project exit in 2021 and we intend to use the most of the time for us to deliver.
“Permit me to mention that, the gully intervention is not just the gully system itself, but there are people this will affect. As a matter of fact, in Munchogpyeng, people that will be affected by this project are up to two hundred and thirteen (213). This invariably means that, all lands, property and bill assets will be duly compensated before the civil work will commence”, he highlighted.
Gofwen, disclosed that the total length of the gully required for intervention was 10.6 km with several fingers from the main gully and it would be executed at world class standard as it would as well, consider livelihood option where the vulnerable within the gully system would be considered, hence the need for proper verification of the affected people.
On his part, the Director General of Plateau State Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), Builder Peter Dogo, commended NEWMAP for the state proud and thanked Governor for them free hand to operate calling on the contractor to follow protocol of disclosing information since the project was situated in the city.
The Nigeria Standard reports that the NEWMAP Procurement Officer, Garba Gowon Gonkol, gave the rundown of the procurement procedures of the Munchogopyeng gully intervention site and it revealed that, over thirteen (13) bids were submitted after newspaper publications in three different national dailies. The contract has only eighteen months to complete the project.
While congratulating the Contractor, the State Commissioner of environment, Hon. Idi Yakubu Usman, urged them to use the eighteen months duration of contract so that, it would spill over because for them to be selected, it meant they were of quality and what Plateau people need was quality.
Meanwhile, the State Head of Civil Service, Izam Azi, who was represented by Timkuk Alfred, charged the contracting firm the work according the contract’s specification and make sure that the contract did not end the common space of a failed situation some contractors push to an abundant project.
However, the Gwom Rai of Jos-South LGA, Da Ngah Dangyang, could not hide his joy and appreciation to NEWMAP and Plateau State Government for identifying them with this great project and promised to the contractor the needed support both with man-power and morally so that this project come to fruition.
