By Lawal Gwanda
The Katsina State Department of Local Government Inspectorate has reaffirmed its commitment towards ensuring timely completion of structures for the setting up of Agricultural Mechanisation Centres at the local level across the 34 LGAs of the state.
To that effect , the Local Councils in the State have also tightened belts to reach the deadline given to them to erect structures for AMCs within the Secretariat of their respective LGAs.
Sequel to this development, the Special Adviser of the Department Hon. Lawal Rufa’i Safana inspected the ongoing project in 14 LGAs two in Katsina, one in Daura and 11 in Funtua Senatorial Districts to assess the level of compliance and the work done by the local councils so far visited.
The LGAs so far visited include Rim and Charanchi in Katsina Zone and Kankia in Daura Zone as well as all the 11 LGAs in Funtua Zone.
The Special Adviser registered his satisfaction on the commitment of the Local Councils particularly Matazu and Funtua LGAs that reached appreciable stage of completion with the exception of the Contractor handling the project at Danja LGA which was rated far below standard for failing to comply with the Bill of Quantity of the contract, and the S A directed for adjustment.
Faskari and Sabuwa LGAs were not physically visited for security reasons, but the S A conducted a meeting with officials concern of the affected LGAs ande after a satisfactory discussion, the S A directed Zonal and Resident Inspectors to closely monitor the execution of the project and report from time to time on the development.
On the issue of location and commencement of construction for AMC at Charanchi LGA at the time of the visit, the Chairman of the local council Hon. Ibrahim Sani sited the location at Southern part outside the Secretariat, but pledged to demolish and extend the wall fence of the Secretariat to accommodate the AMC In the Premises of the LGA Secretariat.
After the S A was. Convinced, he again revisited the LGA and testified the commencement of the work which reached certain level.
In another development, the Special Adviser has taken time to inspect the construction of Staff Quarters for PHCs at Dukke and Dandume where he met the construction work at Dukke PHC was not completed and poorly done at outside the Hospital premises after 80% payment was paid to the Contractor.
The Special Adviser however gave two options for the Director Works of the LGA to meet the Contractor handling the project to either complete the project or forfeit the remaining 20% payment for the local council to complete the project on direct labour, but the taxes of the contract are to be paid by the Contract.
.At Mahuta PHC in Dandume LGA, Hon. Lawal Rufa’i Safana also inspected the uncompleted SQ and advised the Contractor to complete it since he had been paid for the job, adding that any complain should be before accepting the terms of the contract already awarded for the past ten Months.
Hon. Lawal Safana therefore said his Department will not accept laxity and unwarranted complaints from any Contractor after he accepted and paid for the job, adding that the Department has vowed to ensure that all projects already awarded were completed and must comply with the Bill of Quantity.
