SHOCKING: Nigeria’s MDG office pays N154 million for one borehole
Nigeria’s Millennium Development Goals (MDG) office spent N154.2
million to construct a single borehole in Abuja, in a shocking example
of contract inflation that has helped undermine the country’s ability to
achieve its MDG goals.
Drilling a single borehole in Abuja averages N1.5 million. A
hydrology firm told PREMIUM TIMES that the amount should cover drilling
and casing, installation of a solar-powered submersible pump, steel
tower for the tanks, tanks, pipes, joints & suckers, installation
and labour.
The firm allowed an expanded estimate of N10 million if a water
treatment facility is included alongside other optional accessories.
The Abuja borehole, constructed at Gwarinpa, an expansive estate in
the federal capital, had no such fittings. Indeed, the borehole had long
become dysfunctional and was no longer dispensing water to the
residents when PREMIUM TIMES visited in June 2015.
Still, the Abuja MDG office told this newspaper it was more concerned
with service delivery to the people, than the amount it takes to do so.
The eight target goals of the MDGs set at the Millennium Summit of
the United Nations in 2000 are eradication of extreme poverty and
hunger; achieving universal primary education; promotion of gender
equality; reduction of child mortality; improvement of maternal health;
combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases; ensuring environmental
sustainability and developing a global partnership for development.
In 2010/2011 alone, N249.26billion was channelled through Nigeria’s
federal ministries, departments and agencies, “Quick Wins” (Constituency
projects, but now called Special projects), Conditional Grants Scheme
(CGS) to state governments, and Special presidential interventions for
MDGs programmes and projects.
Analysts say poor execution of projects, racketeering, inflation of
contracts, and other contractual breaches as some of the factors
responsible for Nigeria’s inability to achieve its MDG goals.
The Gwanrinpa borehole, constructed at N154, 242,200, according to
the contract and budget papers obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, is located at
Galadima ‘I’ community of the estate.
The contract was awarded to Zarm Global Service on March 28,
2008. The company has no address, contact person or telephone number.
Another N110.6 million was paid for the construction of a borehole at
Tungan Nasara community of Jiwa Ward in Abuja Municipal Area Council.
The contract was awarded to Global And Global Venture Limited on March
29, 2008. Also, the company has no address or contact person.
When our reporter visited one of the project sites supposedly
executed by the MDG office at a primary school in Dutse Alhaji community
and another in Kubwa area of Abuja, there were no signs of any projects
in the areas.
Residents of the area told PREMIUM TIMES that the borehole had
stopped working immediately after its completion. According to budget
details, N8, 802,185 was paid for the construction of the borehole.
Obinna Okafor, a representative of the company in charge of the
project, Hunnigdale International Limited, provided no details beyond
saying the project was moved from its initial site to Gbazango West
Layout of Kubwa.
At Nanda Community of Agyana Pandagi Ward in Abaji Area Council,
Abuja, a borehole constructed at N8.1 million was also not functional.
Ochiez Signature, which won the contract, has no office address. Its
manager, Onu Clement, told our reporter the firm operates from his house
at New Nyanya in Nasarawa State.
Investigation revealed that a greater percentage of the 1,333
projects executed by the Abuja office of the MDGs between 2007, 2008,
2010 and 2011 in Abuja communities, were either below the set standard
or had been abandoned by contractors.
When PREMIUM TIMES sought the response of the MDGs office regarding
the construction of a single borehole at the cost of N154, 242,200, and
the poor state of the projects, the director of projects at the office,
Mr. Dalhatu, said he could not discuss issues of contract or speak for
the companies.
Although an official who spoke on the condition of anonymity faulted
the payment of N154 million for drilling of a single borehole, he said
they were more interested in seeing the projects working, and that they
will check available records, and consult with the MDGs focal person to
find out what the problem was.
