By Abdullahi Lukman
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has ordered the contractor handling a major ACReSAL flood and erosion-control project to deploy more equipment and manpower after the 15.2-kilometre project recorded only 7.2 per cent completion.
Mohammed issued the directive during an inspection of the project, expressing concern over the slow pace of work and the contractor’s level of mobilisation.
The project includes 3.2 kilometres of feeder channels and is being implemented under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) programme within a micro-catchment hosting several related interventions.
The governor said the project had sufficient funding and should not suffer unnecessary delays. He disclosed that the state government had released 40 per cent of the contract sum and urged the contractor to demonstrate greater capacity and commitment.
Mohammed described the intervention as a major humanitarian project aimed at protecting communities, particularly those located along riverbeds and other areas exposed to flooding and erosion.
He noted that the project was initially conceived during the administration of former governor Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu.
ACReSAL Task Team Leader, Dr Joy Egena, commended the quality of work completed but expressed concern about the slow implementation rate.
Egena described the project as one of the largest ACReSAL interventions in terms of scope, scale and cost, urging the contractor to increase its workforce and equipment to meet the scheduled completion date.
The contractor attributed the delay partly to the rainy season but assured the governor that mobilisation had begun.
He said four teams would work simultaneously on different sections of the project, supported by additional equipment and personnel.
The contractor expressed confidence that the project would be completed by March or April.
