Rivers Govt approves N74.9bn for infrastructure projects
…Kalaibiama-Epellema road to link communities to Opobo for first time — Commissioner
By Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Executive Council has approved a total sum of N74.9 billion for various infrastructure projects in the state.
The projects include the reconstruction of the State House of Assembly Auditorium, construction of Kalaibiama/Epellema Road, completion of four zonal hospitals, renovation of Bonny General Hospital, renovation and upgrade of Neuropsychiatric Hospital, and construction of a new General Hospital at Rumuigbo.
The reconstruction of the Assembly Auditorium is expected to cost N19.5 billion, while the Kalaibiama-Epellema Road and bridge will gulp N29 billion.
The completion of the four zonal hospitals will cost N26.3 billion. The hospitals are located in Ahoada, Degema, Omoku, and Bori towns.
The state government said the completion of the zonal hospitals is aimed at strengthening secondary level healthcare service delivery to the people of the state. The council also approved the cancellation of all previous contracts awarded for the construction of the zonal hospitals.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, said the approval was sequel to the memos presented by the Ministry of Health to the State Executive Council. She added that the ministry requested for the approval of the cancellation and termination of all existing contracts for the zonal hospitals and the re-awarding of fresh contracts to enable the completion of the projects.
“We are thankful to the Rivers State Executive Council that the various decisions sought and prayers that were made by the Rivers State Ministry of Health for the approval of the termination of the contracts for completion of the Zonal Hospitals at Ahoada, Bori, Degema and Omoku, and the re-award of fresh contracts for their completion were approved.
“That the request to the State Executive Council for the approval of the award of these contracts in total summed up to N26, 350, 310, 714. 88k that was approved for the completion of those Zonal Hospitals, the renovation of Bonny General Hospital and the upgrade of the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital.
“This also included the construction of a new General Hospital at Rumuigbo, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, which were not among those initially awarded for renovation,” she explained.
Dr. Oreh said that the State Executive Council also approved that following the termination of the previously awarded contracts, fresh contracts should be awarded to new competent contractors who have such capacity to deliver on those projects.
She emphasised that such contractors would also be mobilised to site so that they can commence construction work on those separate projects in the health sector in order to advance healthcare delivery in the State.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Special Projects, Dr Roland Obed-Whyte, said his ministry presented two memos that requested for the award of separate contracts.
He said that the first is a request for Council’s approval for the award of contract for the reconstruction and furnishing of Rivers State House of Assembly Auditorium Complex.
According to him, “This contract has been awarded to Monier Construction Company Nigeria Limited (MCC) at the cost of N19, 566, 621, 284. 24 kobo with completion duration of 9 Months.
“This Rivers State House of Assembly Building Complex is made up of about 34 ensuite offices, two storey building with elevator, gallery, meeting rooms and conference hall.
“It also includes the renovation and refurbishing of other existing structures within the House of Assembly Complex. It also includes the provision of ambulances and other external works.”
Dr. Obed-Whyte explained that by the time the work on the Rivers State House of Assembly building is completed, it will turn out to be one of the very best Assembly complexes in the country.
Dr Obed-Whyte further said that the Governor is determined with his mantra of “Rivers First” to open up the coastal areas with what he is doing on the Trans-Kalabari Road project, adding that with this project in the Opobo axis, the people will be the greatest beneficiaries.
In her presentation, the Acting Director- General of the Rivers State Bureau for Public Procurement (RSBOPP), Engr Ine Briggs, said due diligence has been done by the Agency in scrutinising the projects and the cost efficiency, adding that after due diligence was conducted, the Agency issued certificates of no objection to each of the projects.
According to her, “The consideration of all these projects approved by the Rivers State Executive Council, the Bureau is glad to inform the general public that it has duly carried out its regulatory function in ensuring that value for money has been met, economy has been met, fitness for purpose has been met in defending the stakeholders’ position in expenditure of fund from the State.
“So, the Bureau has issued a certificate of no objection for the two projects from the Ministry of Special Projects and the projects for the Ministry of Health.”
Reacting to the approvals,the Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Warisenibo Joseph Johnson described the decision of the State Executive Council as salutary and well-thought out.
Speaking to our Correspondent via telephone, the Commissioner said if the figures are broken down into segments, one would appreciate it better.
According to him, the approvals were specifically done to tackle the challenges faced by those particular communities directly impacted by the projects in question.
For instance, the Kalaibiama-Epellema Road when completed, he said would link those communities to their kinsmen in Opobo for the first time in the history of Rivers State.
For the Assembly, Warisenibo Johnson said since the sad incident of October last year, that led to the destruction of the Assembly complex, the lawmakers have been sitting in a temporary location and as one of the three arms of government, often referred to as the symbol of democracy,
“It is not good for Rivers people and our democracy,” he said, “Therefore SEC thought it wise to approve the sum of N19.5bn for its reconstruction so that lawmakers can return to their proper place and do their work.”
