By Alltimepost.com
[dropcap]E[/dropcap]do State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obasekil has demonstrated his adminitration’s commitment to check inflated road construction contracts in the state, bearing in mind what he called the frugal financial allocations acruing from the Federal Government.The Governor said he has set up a contact group with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) to review road contracts awarded by the state government.
According to him, the contact group made up of executive members of COREN, the country’s highest engineering regulatory body, would drive down the cost of constructing roads and ensure quality work is done by contractors.
Obaseki made the discosure on Wednesday, while speaking during a courtesy visit by the executive members of COREN at the Government House, Benin City.
During the visit, led by the Chief Inspector of the Benin Engineering Regulatory Inspectorate, Engr. Dr. Victor Obanor, Governor Obaseki expressed displeasure over the tendency for contractors to inflate the cost of road construction when the materials are available within the country.
Obaseki said the partnership with COREN was imperative and essential towards reducing the cost of construction, especially roads.
He noted that his administration places a high premium on transparency and accountability and would ensure there is real value for every tax payer’s kobo spent to fund projects in the state.
He further stressed that the state would need the collaboration of COREN in manpower development in order to boost the capacity of workers in the state, especially engineers.
Earlier, Dr. Obanor said the group was impressed with the vision of the governor for infrastructural development in the state.
According to him, “COREN believes that a technical solution is needed to deliver cost-effective and durable infrastructure, bearing in mind the current state of the country’s economy.”
