[size=16pt]FG to spend N11.7bn on S’East erosion projects[/size]

The Federal Government would spend N11.7bn to finance 15 erosion control projects in the South-East before the end of the year.

The Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, confirmed this during the South-East Project Consultants Agencies Forum in Abuja on Thursday. She noted that the erosion control projects were currently undergoing an engineering procurement process, adding that the EFO was collaborating with consultants handling the projects to fast-track their completion.

The Federal Government established the Ecological Fund through the Federation Account Act of I981 in order to maintain a pool of funds solely devoted to tackling ecological problems. Decree 36 of 1984 and 106 of 1992 as well as the Allocation of Federation Account Modification Order of 2002 subsequently modified the Act.

The one per cent originally allocated to the ecological fund from the Federation Account, was raised to two per cent in 1992. One per cent of the derivation allocation was added later, bringing the total figure to three per cent.

Of this amount, 48.5 per cent is for the Federal Government while 24 per cent and 20 per cent belong to the 36 states and 774 local governments respectively.

In 2010, President Goodluck Jonathan, through the EFO, approved N30bn for various ecological problems across the country. Of this amount, N11.6bn was earmarked for disbursement to South-East states for soil and erosion control projects.

However, the projects for which the fund was earmarked were yet to be begin. Explaining the rationale behind the late commencement of the projects, Odusote stated that the bidding process had not been completed.

She said, “The projects are currently at various stages of procurement. Although there has been bidding for the projects, the contractors have not yet emerged because the process has not been completed.

“We recognise the significant role consultants play in the planning, processing, procuring and execution of our projects and. That is why through this meeting, we have re-emphasised our commitment to our joint resolve to deliver all our projects on schedule and in top quality.

“However, we have challenged them on the need to play their respective roles in the procurement process because they are the interface between the contractors and the office.”


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201102043401885

Another good one GEJ!

It is FULL STEAM AHEAD!

Where is the 8 billion voted for this project by obj? Nothing works in ibo land. Too much corruption

roflmao!!!

hmmmm,

I dey laff