A total of 53 projects embarked upon by the Niger Delta Development Commission are to be completed before the end of August this year.
A breakdown of the figure shows that four of the projects are in Abia State, seven in Akwa Ibom State, five in Bayelsa State, while Edo State has three, Imo State four, Ondo State four and Rivers State 14.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Dr. Christian Oboh, announced this at a meeting with contractors handling various projects for the commission.
According to the Managing Director, the projects comprise 26 roads, four water schemes, 10 electrification, nine shore protections, one erosion control, two canalization and one bridge project.
“I can assure you that if you deliver, we will continue to do business with you. You will be part of our contractors that we will give priority to in terms of further award,” Oboh assured.
He stated that all the challenges envisaged in the completion of the projects have been captured and charged the contractors to mobilise back to site immediately.
“Our target is to deliver these projects before the end of August. If we do this, it is a mile stone. As soon as you deliver, in another two weeks, I will pay you the balance of your money,” the MD said.
The Managing Director however frowned at the attitude of some of the consultants whom he said don’t give the true situation of things on site.
“Consultants are very important to our projects. My only worry is that they don’t go to site,” he said.
Assuring the consultants of prompt payment, Oboh said: “I am not aware that we are owing consultants. If you convince us in another one week, we will pay you. But I need you to work. Consultants should use the projects vehicles given to go to site or have them withdrawn.”