Modupe Gbadeyanka
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Contractors handling various projects in rural areas have been charged to put quality above everything so as to make Nigerians enjoy good life and dividends of democracy.
Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Abdulkadir Mu’azu, made this appeal during an interactive meeting with 2019 Department of Rural Development project contractors held in Abuja.
He said “contractors nowadays no longer pay strict adherence to quality and standard of project delivery, terms and conditions of a contract, timely submission of all necessary and required documents according to the contract specification and employment of the services of qualified and experienced personnel for proper contract execution.”
According to him, “These and others are part of the issues we need to address in order for Nigerians to enjoy the dividends of democracy on increased agricultural productivity and other economic activities in our rural communities.”
Mr Mu’azu noted that “completion of these projects will create jobs, food security, lift Nigerians out of poverty and create more access roads to the rural communities. It will also provide electricity, water supply, market stalls and other essential infrastructure to the communities.”
The ministry’s top official stated that the interactive forum was put together to sensitise the contractors on the need to adhere strictly to set standards, quality of work delivery and to abide by the rules of the game, emphasising that “the all-round success of this meeting will not be complete without the contractors letting the ministry know your various concerns and challenges with a view to nipping them in the buds for successful 2019 contract delivery.”
Mr Mu’azu pointed out that, “The interactive meeting will among others things discuss on issues of strict adherence to quality and standard of project delivery, project supervision and monitoring, FMARD responsibilities, contractors’ responsibilities, use of contingency fund, project activities implementation documentation and community mobilisation/sensitisation.”
In his welcome address, the Director, Department of Rural Development (DRD), Mr Daniel Udo, noted that, “The poor quality project execution being experienced in our previous works, goods and consultancy contracts emanating from the use of substandard materials, unqualified personnel, compromised specification, among others have been of great concern to the ministry.”
He expressed confidence that contractors at the end of the interactive meeting would be conversant with the FMARD requirement for standards and quality work delivery as well as the terms and conditions of project execution to avoid project abandonment, project cost and time overruns among others.
Responding on behalf of the contractors, Mr Emeka Igwe pledged to deliver on their projects according to the laid down specifications, standards assurance on quality control enumerated by the Ministry.
