By Ibrahim Abubakar
Nigeria’s Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Goronyo has summoned the contractor handling the Talum irrigation project worth N128 million in Adamawa.
Goronyo discloses this after an inspection visit to the project site at Kiri, Shelleng Local Government Area of the state.
The project was under the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority (UBRBDA), Yola and the Company handling the project is American West Africa Agro (AWAA).
The Minister, disappointed over the ongoing project said, that now is not the time for the aboundament of projects as Nigerians want to see the value of their monies.
“ I think the time of abounding projects is over, we are here to galvanize the resources to ensure that whichever contract you are given you must implement the contract because Nigerians must get value for their money.
“There is no way somebody can be awarded a contract and to sleep without implementing it.
“What I did is a clear demonstration that we are on the ground following the bid of contracts we have awarded and making sure is completed and delivered to Nigerian people.
“ So I summon the contractor to meet me in Abuja on Monday to discuss the issue”, he said.
Alhaji Abubakar Muazu, Managing Director, UBRBDA appreciated the Ministers visit to the side.
He said, there is a lot of room for improvement as water is a highly capital-intensive venture that way they were advocating for public-private partnerships.
According to him, the Dangote Sugar refinery is yet to tap 60 percent of the capacity of the water.
The Minister has inspected Kiri Dam facility and Dangote Sugar refinery which is generating water from the Dam.
He also paid a courtesy visit to Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri and Lamido of Adamawa, Barkindo Mustapha.
