Reps summon NDDC, firm over failed projects

In from Olumide Olaoluwa …

Officials of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will have to explain to the House of Representatives why the N6.5billion Ayetoro Shoreline protection the commission awarded was not implemented.

Also to appear before the fuming lawmakers is a construction firm, Gallet Nigeria Limited and Dredging Atlantic Limited (DAL) over its roles in the failed project.

The firm will have a date with the House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) when constituted.

The decision of the lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion by Kolade Akinjo (PDP, Ondo).

He regretted that despite the commitment shown by the federal government, the contractors handling the embankment project have refused to live up to expectation.

He said: “As at today 30 September, almost all Ilaje communities occupying the Atlantic coastline are flooded (overrun) due to water from tempestuous oceanic surge.

“These communities include Ayetoro, Ori-Oke Iwamimo, Seja Odo, Seja Oke, Lepe, Yaye, Olotu, Idiogba, Gbabijo, Erunona and Magbenwa among several others.

“The flood ordeal that has almost deleted the affected communities mentioned is primarily due to lack of embankment to protect them from the advancing Ocean surge brazenly rendering preponderant inhabitants homeless, destroying a world of property, ruining the socio-economic assets, activities and concern of the people; and making destitute its teeming populace.

“Of further concern is that significant properties such as palaces, schools, markets, churches, fishing boats and gears, etc. worth millions are completely devastated.

He added: “It is instructive to recall that sometimes in 2004, persistent cry for rescue by the ecologically disadvantaged people of the oil – rich Community of Aiyetoro caught attention of the federal government, hence, award of shoreline protection contract to build sea defence, was awarded to Gallet Nig. Ltd for N2.4b with initial mobilization fee of N650m paid and agreed completion period of 18 months yet, no job done.

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“It was observed however that following the termination of the contract with GALLET after 4 years on the grounds of non – execution, in 2009, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) re -awarded same contract to Dredging Atlantic Ltd at a cost of N6.5b with payment of mobilisation fee of N2.5b which is about 40 percent of the total contract sum, also regrettably, no job done.

“It is however worrisome that despite the said financial commitment by the federal government to the shoreline protection contracts for Aiyetoro community, the job mileage still remains at Zero performance level more than a decade after the initial award.

“It should be pointed out that all schools including primary, secondary and technical have also been submerged thereby making learning under this circumstance practically impossible.

“Apart from the socio – economic dislocation of the farming and fishing activities of the people, the situation now also poses serious security and health threats to the extent that the affected communities are forced to take refuge on jetties, boats, and other surviving avenues.”

The House also resolved that the federal government should provide embankments for the communities under reference and install an early warning signal technology to protect all the coastline communities in Nigeria from the threat of Atlantic Ocean.

The lawmakers urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant agencies to immediately intervene in the plight of Ilaje coastline communities by providing relief materials and temporary abode to the victims of the flood.

The motion was unanimously adopted when it was put to voice vote by the Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

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