BAYELSA GOVT PRESENTS CHEQUES WORTH N2.6BN FOR VARIUOS ONGOING PROJECTS; RESTATES COMMITMENT TO PROJECTS DESPITE DWINDLING RESOURCES 05/11/2014 The Bayelsa State Government on Tuesday presented cheques to the tune of two point six billion to three contracting firms handling various ongoing projects in the state. Presenting the cheques to the contractors at the Executive Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Seriake Dickson explained that, N1.5 bn was paid to Julius Berger Nigeria PLC for the continuation of construction work on the fly-over bridge, dualization of Isaac Boro and Opolo-Elebele roads, Van Oord Dredging Company received N600 million for the sand filling of the Sagbama-Ekeremor road, while Sadogi construction firm got N500 million for the completion of the Tower Hotel. According to him, the N600 million is the first installment payment for the dredging of the Sagbama-Ekeremor road, stating that, the sand filling job would have been completed by February of next year. The Bayelsa State Chief Executive expressed the hope that, there would be some vehicular movement on the Sagbama-Ekeremor road to ease transportation problems for commuters in that axis by the end of 2015. His words: “We are already doing the stock piling along the Sagbama-Ekeremor road, but that is not fast enough for the time frame, that we have given to ourselves for the completion of that critical road. We are committed to hitting the Atlantic Ocean from three fronts. It is our expectation that, between now and the end of February, we would have finished sand filling from Ofoni to Ekeremor. “That road is so important by the end of next year, we would like to get to Ekeremor. I know that the sand filling of the Sagbama-Ekeremor road has gone beyond Ofoni. I am told that with about 8 weeks of serious work, which I know you are capable of doing, the sand filling job will be completed. That means with the cooperation of our contractor (Dantata and Sawoe), that is doing very well; if they are able to stabilize a part of it, I know that, before the end of next year, at least four wheel drive vehicles and motorcycles should be able to get to Ekeremor, so that the tragedy that we experienced last weekend will be averted.” On the tower hotel, the Governor stated that, the government had already spent N4 bn on the project, noting that, some internal works had been going on and completed the partitioning of the hotel up to the sixteenth floor. Lamenting the drop in revenue from the monthly Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, which now stands at N6 bn, he pointed out that, in spite of the development, his administration has continued to carry on with its development efforts. Governor Dickson, who said the development drive was attributable to the commitment and dedication of the restoration team, also expressed appreciation to the contractors, working in the state for their cooperation. Responding on behalf of other contractors, the Divisional Manager of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, Mr. Guido Abel thanked the state government for its commitment in the midst of daunting challenges, adding that, they would continue to work to deliver on the their projects.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Nov 2014 13:45:53 +0000