On Tuesday, the Kogi government signed contracts worth over N29 billion to control gully erosion in three communities across the state.

Governor Ahmed Ododo urged the contractors to give the assignment all the seriousness it deserved.

Mr Ododo said the projects would address gully erosion and its attendant effects in the affected communities.

The governor stressed the need for all hands on deck to ensure that the projects were executed according to specification and benefitted the communities of intervention.

The governor implored the communities to take ownership of and safeguard the projects.

“It is on record that the communities of these various erosion sites have suffered greatly from the devastating effects of gully erosion, which has led to monumental loss of lives and property.

“Therefore, it is hoped that the program today and the subsequent commencement of the civil works at these erosion sites will eventually bring great relief to the people,” Mr Ododo said.

The governor said the state government funded the projects in partnership with the World Bank ACReSAL Project.

He urged the contractors to deploy all relevant resources for the execution of the project to ensure quality job delivery that would meet the global standards.

The state project coordinator of ACReSAL, Ladi Jatto, described the ceremony as historical.

“The project, upon completion, would address the hardship brought upon the communities, restore destroyed farmlands and government infrastructures, and bring about access to markets, hospitals, and schools,” said the ACReSAL project coordinator.

The official added, “A total of 21 firms successfully submitted their bids, and after a competitive evaluation process of the received bids, in line with World Bank guidelines, two firms emerged successful.

“The two firms are: Mothercat Limited to handle Olubo-Ojo erosion site in Ankpa, and LEVANT Construction Limited to execute Etahi & Omigbo Gully sites.”

The contracts would cover the reclamation, stabilization and channelization of gully erosion at Etahi, in Okene (Central), Omigbo in Kabba (West) and Olubojo in Ankpa (East) LGAs.

(NAN)