The Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project NEWMAP has begun the process of controlling gully erosion threatening the Federal High Court and other property at the Alex Ekwueme erosion site, Awka.
Mr Mike Ivenso, Project Coordinator of NEWMAP in Anambra, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Awka that the project had held a pre-bid meeting with some potential contractors for the control works.
He said Governor Willie Obiano had declared an emergency on the Alex Ekwueme gully erosion site which was threatening a number of structures, including the Federal High Court, a hotel, federal secretariat and access roads.
He said the bidding process was “abridged” in the light of the urgency of the project and the need to rescue the area expeditiously.
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The World Bank-sponsored NEWMAP project coordinator said the prospective contractors were expected to respond on or before October 4, two weeks after the process commenced instead of the normal eight weeks.
Ivenso said the contract would be for a period of 12 months but expressed hope that it would be delivered by March next year.
According to him, funding for the project has been appropriated by the state government which is working in concert with the Federal Government as well as the World Bank.
“We have met with potential bidders, six of them, and they have visited the site to take an assessment of what to do to enable them come up with responsive bids which we can evaluate.
“His Excellency, Governor Willie Obiano has declared an Emergency on the Alex Ekwueme erosion site and has mandated NEWMAP and all relevant agencies to fast-track the intervention works here.
“A lot of landslides has occurred here and the erosion is fast encroaching into the Federal High Court and the governor has directed that we expedite control intervention works here.
“This vicinity houses a significant amount of federal, state and private property, the area is called Central Business District, the Federal High Court is not the only threatened structure.”
(NAN)
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