…pledges to complete on-going road projects

By Daniel Idonor

ABUJA—IN a bid to ensure strict compliance with value for money and quality jobs, the Federal Government has directed the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to settle all outstanding fees and transfer the design and construction and supervision of coastal roads to the Ministry of Niger Delta.

Vice President Namadi Sambo, who gave the directive at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, constituted committee on Niger Delta, said the Federal
Government was determined to complete all the coastal roads, East-West road, as well as the East-West trunk lines in the general interest of the nation.

He said, “the Federal Government in its quest to complete all major projects in the Niger Delta, has directed that the coastal road construction be transferred
to the Ministry of Niger Delta since the money needed for its construction is over one trillion and is beyond the capability of the NDDC.”
According to Sambo, sequel to the Federal Government’s decision which was arrived at during the Federal Executive Council meeting Wednesday, NDDC is to
summit to the office of the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and Office of the Director-General of Bureau for Public Procurement, BPP, the contract agreement of the project, the due process certification for award of contract and full company profile, including technical and foreign partners involved in the project.

He urged contractors handling every component of the project, including  foreign partners, to meet within a week with evidence of the level of work done, sample of the soil test carried out and environmental impact assessment of the projects.