NEWMAP alleged N60b Enugu erosion control project false, misleading – Obetta

Former project coordinator of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP, Enugu State, Dr. Vincent Egechukwu Obetta has denied the allegation that N60 billion was permitted, launched and contract awarded within the 4 designated erosion control websites in Enugu North Senatorial Zone.

DAILY POST recollects {that a} civil rights group had dragged NEWMAP and the Federal Ministry of Environment to court alleging that the mentioned sum was spent whereas the initiatives positioned in Enugu North Senatorial zone had been deserted.

The case is presently pending earlier than the Enugu Division of Court of Appeal after a Federal High Court declined to compel NEWMAP and the Ministry to make its contract data out there to the plaintiffs. 

However, reacting on Monday, Obetta described the report as false, misleading and fashioned within the figment of the promoters’ creativeness.

According to him, just one contract for erosion control was awarded beneath NEWMAP-IDA in the complete Enugu North senatorial zone specifically Onuiyi-Nsukka (part) of the gully erosion control project; The value of the Onuiyi-Nsukka part of the project was within the tune of 1 billion, 4 hundred million naira, solely.

He continued that “The Alor-uno part of the project didn’t obtain the requisite ‘no objection’ of the World Bank therefore was not permitted for execution by the state authorities.

“The procurement processes for the award of contract beneath the NEWMAP-IDA includes getting the ‘no objection’ from the world Bank, the state Executive Councils’ (EXCO) approval, the decision for bid and the precise bidding course of earlier than a contractor will emerge. None of those actions was carried out within the different project websites besides Onuiyi-Nsukka part of the project.

“It is subsequently instructive to say unequivocally that contract was not awarded within the following gully erosion project websites:

“Alor-uno part of the Onuiyi -Nsukka/Alor-uno gully erosion website Imiliki-etiti gully erosion website, and Anyazurum Ohom-orba gully erosion website. 

“Following the World Bank non-issuance of ‘no objection’ to the award of those initiatives, Enugu State authorities didn’t award the contract.

“NEWMAP-IDA Project closed in September, 2022. During the winding-up process, all fiduciary and financial obligations were duly audited and discharged and was certified by the World Bank. No funds remain unaccounted for.”

Obetta additional acknowledged that “Upon the closure of NEWMAP-IDA, all unutilized fund was duly refunded by the state in keeping with the World Bank Service Loan Agreement.

“This excellent monetary prudence earned Enugu State a Letter of Credence from the World Bank an official acknowledgement that additional validates the transparency and accountability with which Enugu NEWMAP-IDA was executed within the state.

“During my tenure as Project Coordinator, my stewardship was additionally acknowledged by the World Bank and the National Project Management Unit of NEWMAP-IDA that earned me an award because the Best Performing Project Coordinator in Agency set-up.

“The relevant project procurement records of Enugu NEWMAP-IDA are available and speak for themselves.”