Some Niger Delta Projects Are Non-functional-Momoh

Minister of the Niger Delta Development, Engr Abubakar Momoh, has revealed that some previous projects embarked upon by the ministry are below water level and non-functional. 

The minister made the revelation in Bayelsa on Saturday while inspecting projects constructed by the ministry in the state. 

Engr Momoh explained that both projects were conceived and constructed without taking into account the flooding nature of the terrain which he said are below water level. 

“I have seen the projects here in Odi and Adagbabiri-the housing project and oil palm processing plant. They are supposed to be beneficial projects for the community. However, the unfortunate thing is that when planning these projects, the flooding nature of Bayelsa State was not taken into account. Both of these projects are below water level, rendering them non-functional.

Momoh pointed out that he was wrongly informed of the sandfilling process in Odi, which turned out to be actual project construction rather than any deliberate raising of the construction area to avoid flooding.

According to him, it is no longer possible to refill the area as doing so would result in submerging the building up to its middle and render the project completely useless. 

“For example, when I was told about a sand filling project in Odi, my initial impression was that it was meant to prepare the area for construction. Little did I know that there were already buildings in place. If you decide to sand-fill the area, it would reach the middle of the buildings.

"To make the housing project functional, you’d need to demolish the entire structure and reconstruct it, which means all the money spent there would be wasted because the place is uninhabitable.

“The same issue applies to the oil palm processing plant. If a construction project is below the level of the road, anything done there is futile. Even if you complete and commission such a project, it would serve no purpose other than for the newspapers.

"We couldn’t even inspect the housing and oil processing projects because of the flooding in the project site,” he concluded. 

The minister's working was not all gloomy as he had a cheerful story to tell about the Onopa Canal also in the state. Besides seeing a convincing design, he was also assured by both the people and traditional ruler that the project was well executed. 

“Since my arrival from Abuja for this working visit, I have seen for myself and have positive news to take back. The inspection of the Onopa canal also took place today, and I am pleased that the natives and traditional ruler confirmed that the project was well-executed. The design I observed convinced me that the work done there was reasonable,” he noted