By Abdullahi Lukman
The Bauchi State Project Management Unit (SPMU) of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project has reaffirmed its commitment to strict supervision of the ongoing multi-billion-naira flood and erosion control project in Bauchi metropolis.
State Project Coordinator, Dr. Ibrahim Kabir, gave the assurance during the handover of two Toyota Hilux vehicles to the SPMU engineering team and the project’s supervising consultant, Harmony Envi Plan Limited, to strengthen monitoring of the intervention.
Kabir said effective supervision would ensure that contractors adhere to approved engineering designs, project specifications and the bill of quantities, while preventing unauthorized alterations during implementation.
He added that close monitoring would also guarantee compliance with environmental and social safeguard measures to protect communities along the project corridor from avoidable hazards throughout the construction period.
According to him, the supervision vehicles will enhance field inspections and improve oversight of the project, which stretches from Tsohon Kamfani to Gwallagan Mayaka in Bauchi metropolis.
Responding, the Managing Director of Harmony Envi Plan Limited thanked the state government for the vehicles and pledged to use them solely for project supervision. He also assured the SPMU that the vehicles would be properly maintained throughout the project.
The managing director further called on the contracting firm to work closely with the supervising team to ensure the successful and timely execution of the intervention.
The ACReSAL flood and erosion control project is designed to address years of environmental degradation and recurring flooding affecting several communities across the project corridor.
When completed, the intervention is expected to restore about 9,842 hectares of degraded land and protect more than 213,000 residents from the impacts of flooding and erosion.
