The convener of the sub-committeen, Alhaji Kassim Baitaiya led the SURE-P team on for a joint verification exercise to Loko (Nassarawa state) in company of officials of Federal Ministry of Works Project Implementation Unit (FMWPIU).
Bataiya explained that the visit to site is part of the committee’s process and policy strategy of ensuring transparency and accountability; and also a culture of instituting integrity in the management of the programme.
“The SURE-P team has come to the site to see the works that have been done and for which RCC wants our committee to approve their request for payment. We want you to know that SURE-P will not approve any payments without sighting or verifying the claims of jobs done”, the SURE-P member clarified.
Among the work items inspected for quality were 25 bored piles, earthworks, and sand filling.
Earlier on arrival at the site at Loko end of the project, the Chief Engineer of RCC, Sharon Simchar, while taking the team round the jobs done disclosed that certificate no.2 covered works carried out Sfrom October to December, 2012.
Sharon said “within the period of October to December, we were able to conduct and complete activity in deep soil investigation, complete site clearance works on the 3.8km approach road to the bridge, finished boring and casting of 25 number of piles, casting of a pile cap, sand filling of 1.230km of swamp and culverts”.
Speaking further on the status of the Loko-Oweto bridge project, Director, Bridges in Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Effiong told the SURE-P team that a phased design approach of the bridge elements has been adapted to fast-track construction activities.
Effiong who further disclosed that the drawings were produced by an international expert said they contained the revised bill yet to be approved.
He said “I am aware that when SURE-P came here last time, the complete design was not ready. But now three complete sets of drawings have been delivered by the bridge designer. Working drawings are being produced as they are needed on site”.
The Loko-Oweto bridge is one of the Federal Government projects for SURE-P intervention. The sum of N5 billion was allocated to it in the SURE-P 2012 budget. The contract was awarded to RCC Nigeria limited on 2nd November, 2011 with a completion period of 48 months. However, its take-off was delayed due to changes in the bridge alignment in the original design.
The work to be carried out by the contractor include the construction of a 1.970m long bridge across river Benue and 22.36km of approach roadas to link Loko in Nassarawa state to Oweto in Benue state.
SURE-P (Published Friday, Feburary 8th, 201
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