Delta Saves Over N300m From Monitoring, Auditing Projects

Delta State government has saved over N300m through monitoring and auditing projects scattered across the state over the past three months.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Monitoring/Audit, Engr. Goodnews Agbi, who disclosed this during an interview session on Crown 94.7FM, said the state has saved these funds from contractors who fail to execute projects according to specifications as assigned to them by the state government.

Agbi who noted that over 150 projects have been inspected, and 21 projects audited by his team, emphasized that contractors who do not meet the specification on the Bill of Engineering Measurement, (BEME), will not be paid what is due them.

“We in the project monitoring directorate, have so far monitored over 150 projects and also audited about 21 and all these projects are scattered around the three senatorial districts in Delta State. This is a testament to what our Governor is doing. Everywhere in the state is littered with one project or the other.

“Amongst the 150 projects we have inspected, some contractors did well, while others did not. Of course, we made our corrections, and again, for the ones we have audited, in the past three months, we have been able to save N300 million for the state government.

“So, this government is really doing well for Deltans. The Governor wants the best for Deltans and that is why he has empowered and strengthened the directorate of project monitoring for us to monitor the projects to be sure the projects are what is in the Bill of Engineering Measurement.”

He further emphasized on the governor’s stands against shoddy jobs, insisting that the Oborevwori administration has zero tolerance for poorly executed projects.

“When contractors bring their certificate to collect their balance, we go to the site and do our measurement. If the job they have executed is up to specification, we pay them their balance and if not, we pay them according to what we see at the site, the reason we have been able to save over N300m for the government.

“The projects must be executed according to specification, anything aside that will raise the red flag. Some projects ongoing, are new projects; specifically the Ughelli-Asaba dual carriageway, Kwale- Beneko Bridge, Ishaugu Bridge, University of Ororeokpe and several others.

“We have also been to the riverine to see projects that are ongoing in those places. For contractors whose jobs are shoddy and are not up to specification, we make corrections and call them to order.

“Contractors are now at alert to their responsibilities, knowing fully well that if you do what is not right, project monitoring will be on your neck, and definitely you will be paid according to what you do,” Agbi stated.