The House of Representatives on Tuesday unveiled plans to investigate a Multi-Purpose Dam worth N22.585 billion in Kajola Village, Ile-Ife, Osun State, 21 years after it was first awarded but reviewed twice.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion on the ‘Need to complete the construction of Multi-Purpose Dam Project in Kajola Village, Ile Ife, Osun State, sponsored by Hon. Abimbola Ajilesoro, who solicited for the House’s intervention.
In his lead debate, Hon. Ajilesoro observed that the contract for the construction of Multipurpose Dam project in Kajola Village, Ile-Ife was awarded to Reynolds Construction Company Nigeria Ltd on the 21st December, 2004 for the sum of N2,243,374 ,702.75 only and was to be completed within 24 months.
“The House recalls that soon after the award, the contractor mobilized to site in 2008 and commenced construction work on the Dam, but regrettably only 40% completion was recorded before the work was abandoned due to paucity of funds.
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“The House is aware that on the 13th December, 2011, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources through augmentation by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) arrived at new contract sum of N10,870,666,204.48 with additional completion period of 24 months (January, 2020 to December, 2021).
“The House is also aware that on the 15th December, 2022, the revised estimated total cost was submitted for the project in the sum of N22,585,410,148.33.
“The House is concerned that the abandonment of the project has become a source of concern to the people as the project is intended to provide bulk domestic water supply for the inhabitants of 11 local government areas between Osun state and the neighboring Ondo state.
“The House is convinced that the Multipurpose Dam when completed has the capacity to be used for hydropower generation, flood control, irrigation development and fisheries as well as creating employment opportunities,” he noted.
To this end, the House mandated the Committee on Water Resources to investigate the status of the project to ascertain the amount of funds released to the contractors from 2004 till date for the purpose of accountability and effective use of tax payers’ money.
