PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ONDO BUDGET TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY PLATFORM (OBTAP)
…. A CALL TO ACTION ON NDDC ABANDONED PROJECTS IN ONDO EAST WEST.
PROTOCOLS
As we all are aware, Ondo state is one of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) states and this implies that the benefits accruable to such a state should be for all.
A close look at the projects located within Ondo East and Ondo West, being part of the Senatorial district of the state revealed that in 2019, NDDC approved a total sum of N103. 6m for capital projects in two local government areas, for five different projects, which spread across three subsectors. The subsectors are Education, Canalization/Reclamation and Water supply.
Signboards of proposed projects or better still awarded contracts showing the names of the projects, contractor(s), and duration are common sights. Weeds were found to have taken over most of the project site. A critical look at the projects revealed the following:
Rehabilitation and furnishing of school building at Ondo Boys High school, Ondo West, which the sum of Fifteen Million Naira (N15m) was approved, yet the project is not in existence as the old school building is still in there with a section of the building fallen.
Construction of solar powered Borehole, proposed to be situated at Moferere market, in Ondo West, record has it that the sum of N7, 174,764 was approved however, the project is nowhere to be found.
It is on record that, the sum of N37, 500,000 was approved for, the Canalization of Okuludu/Odojomu/Odosida River of in Ondo West Local Government Area, in Ondo state, though the project was started, but not yet completed, as the dredging stopped halfway.
The Canalization /Reclamation of Lisaluwa River and opening up of drained gutters in to Lisaluwa River in Ondo that this project is not completed. It stopped at Lafenwa axis.
At Bolorunduro, Ondo East local government, two NDDC branded boreholes were sited. One is partially function as it takes a minimum of two weeks to pump the Water in to the tank, according of the residents.
Sequel to the freedom of information (FOI) request submitted to the NDDC headquarters and Ondo sate offices and their refusal after the stipulated period of responding to the letters, we hereby openly call to action and demands the following information.
The name and other details of the Contractor that implemented or are implementing the projects. The amount so far paid to each of the Contractors /the percentage of the total contract sum that the amount represents.
Thanks and God bless us all.
Signed:
Alo Martins
Leading the team
