How directorate of project monitoring saved Delta State Gov’t over N300m – Agbi

Over N300m has been saved for Delta State Government from monitoring and auditing projects across the state in the past three months.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Monitoring/Audit, Engr [Dr] Goodnews Agbi, disclosed this during an interview session on Crown 94.7FM.

He said the directorate had saved these funds from contractors who failed to execute projects according to specifications.

Agbi, who noted that over 150 projects had been inspected and 21 projects audited by his team, emphasized that contractors who did not meet up to the specifications as stated on the BEME, would only be paid what they had executed at the sites.

“We in the project monitoring and audit 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, you see one project or the other.

“Amongst the 150 projects we’ve inspected, some of the contractors did well, while the others did not. Of course, we made our corrections, and again, for the ones we have audited, in the last 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 and audit the projects to be sure the projects are what is in the Bill of Engineering Measurement BEME, is the same on the ground.”

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

“When contractors send certificate to collect their balance, we go to the site and do our measurement. If the job they have executed is up to specification, they will be paid. If not, they will be paid according to what we measure on the site. That is the reason we have been able to save over N300M for the government.

“The projects must be executed according to specification anything aside that we raise a red flag.

“Some projects are ongoing, and others are new projects; specifically the ughelli-Asaba dual carriageway, kwale- Beneko bridge, Ishiagu bridge, University of Orereokpe and several others and we have also been to the riverine to monitor projects that are ongoing in those places.

“For contractors whose jobs are shoddy and are not up to specification, corrections are made.

“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 have executed,” Agbi stated.