Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki says the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) has a track record of executing quality jobs.
Mr. Obaseki made the assertion while speaking at the implementation of the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) at the Ogiso-Osunde Flood and Gully Erosion Site of Edo NEWMAP.
The Governor who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Taiwo Akerele expressed delight that Edo NEWMAP had successfully carried out intervention works in several flood and gully erosion sites across the State which, in turn, had resulted in quality life and improved livelihoods of the people.
He assured the people of the State of his commitment to working with international donor agencies in the delivery of people-oriented transformational projects and commended the World Bank for partnering with the State Government in the implementation of NEWMAP in Edo State.
The Governor charged the benefitting communities to refrain from interference in the execution of the project, stressing that the ban on the activities of community development associations was still in place.
He called on them to take advantage of the NEWMAP Grievance Redress Mechanism to resolve issues that may arise in the course of the project execution.
The Governor disclosed that the procurement process leading to the award of the contract was guided by transparency and accountability, adding that safeguards mechanism had also been put in place.
Mr. Obaseki told the contractors to execute the job according to specifications as Government would not hesitate to terminate any contract that was not being executed in line with the standard of the State Government.
The State Chief Executive described the Edo NEWMAP SPMU staff as tested and dedicated team and commended them for deploying a high level of professionalism.
Speaking at the occasion, the NEWMAP State Project Coordinator, Dr. Tom Obaseki disclosed that the event was to pay compensation to persons that would be affected by the flood alleviation and construction work at the Ogiso-Osunde Site.
The Project Coordinator explained that the project would bring to an end the devastating effect of the flood and gully erosion in the Ogiso area of Murtala Mohammed Way axis of Benin metropolis, adding that the process began some years ago with the engineering design culminating in the engagement of the contracting firm.
He told the community members that construction work would begin after the payment of compensation in line with the Project guidelines and appealed to the people to cooperate with the contractors to ensure effective execution of the job.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor later presented cheques to the Project Affected Persons (PAPs). A total number of forty-nine (49) Project Affected Persons are being paid compensation in the Ogiso-Osunde site.
*** Mr. Taiwo Akerele has resigned as Chief of Staff to the Governor
