The Federal Government has commissioned the completed Ecological Project Works at the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), Orientation Camp in Jalingo, Taraba State, stating that the intervention project would create a more conducive environment for the socio-economic wellbeing of the Corps Members and officials , particularly during the mandatory orientation camp exercise held regularly at the camp ground.
Speaking at the event, the President, Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Hon. Minister of State, Works and Housing, Hon. Muazu Jaji Sambo,, disclosed this during the official commissioning of the Erosion and Flood Control Works project at the Orientation Camp in Jalingo, Taraba State, Friday 27th May, 2022.
The Minister noted that the project was an index of the Buhari-led Administration in taking proactive steps to boost infrastructure development for the wellbeing of the citizenry, adding that the project was well envisioned and positioned to address the perennial problems in the area.
Hon. Sambo commended the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Project Office, Dr. Habiba Lawal for their determination in ensuring timely and speedy completion of the project and many other projects across the country which he said has fulfilled government’s infrastructure promises to the people.
He urged the benefitting residents of the camp and other users to exercise ownership over the project and ensure its proper maintenance and sustainability.
In her welcome speech, the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Project Office, Dr. Habiba Lawal, represented by the Assistant Director, Soil Erosion and Flood Control Department, Mr. Baaba. Bomoi .pointed out that the project was executed by the Ecological Project Office, cognizance of the need to tackle the erosion and flood problems in the country.
She further explained that the project is to enhance the road sustainability by construction of concrete drains network within the Camp, noting that it was heartwarming to state that the Contractor and the Consultant worked assiduously and conscientiously to ensure that the project was completed on time and in accordance with the specifications as contained in the contract documents.
Dr. Lawal disclosed that the project was approved on 6th August, 2020 and was awarded on 3rd November, 2020 and handed over to the Contractor, Messrs Peters and Partners Inter-Global Limited on the 28th January, 2021. She commended the efforts of the contractor, Messrs Peters and Partners Inter-Global Ltd and the Consultant Messrs Prispat Engineers Consultant Ltd for the timely completion of the project.
“The Commissioning and handing over of this project to the benefitting Community is expected to achieve the dual purpose of enabling the host community to take over and exercise ownership of the project to ensure its care, protection as well as sustainability”, she admonished.
The Permanent Secretary urged the residents of the Orientation Camp and its environs to, “jealously guard the facility so that the resources which the Federal Government had committed in the project would not be a waste.”
In his remarks, the Director-General, NYSC, represented by the Taraba State NYSC State Coordinator, Mr. Anthony Nzoka, expressed deep appreciation to the Federal Government and the Ecological Project Office for its timely intervention. He recalled that in recent years, the permanent camp facility has been affected by, “serious and uncontrolled erosion and flooding that was destroying the beautiful landscape and threatening the walls and foundation structures of many offices, hostel blocks and other buildings within the camp”..
Mr. Nzoka noted that since the completion of the project, the camp facility has become secured and free from dangerous effects of erosion. While commending the efforts of the Federal Government and the EPO for the project, he assured of the proper maintenance of all water channels constructed .
He informed that over one thousand trees which include: Economic, Ornamentals, wind breakers and other environment and ecosystem preserving trees have been planted to further secure the facility.
Present at the occasion included: the Secretary to the Government of Taraba State, Hon. Anthony Jellson, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment, Taraba State, Town Planner (TPL), Mr. Jonah G. Febuins, Secretary, Youth and Sports, Taraba State, Mrs. Napia Kaura, NYSC officials, Corps members and members of the Press.
