The Edo State Government has opened bids for the proposed desilting and maintenance of drainage structures across the State in a bid to tackle flooding and erosion, and improve environmental sustainability.
The bid opening ceremony was held at the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability in Benin City, with participating companies, procurement officials, civil society organisations, government agencies and senior Ministry officials in attendance.
The Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Hon. Nosa Adams, said the open competitive bidding followed the Governor’s directive on transparency and due process. He urged successful contractors to immediately evacuate waste generated during desilting, and warned against dumping silt and other debris on roads or around drainage channels, stressing that poor execution would not be tolerated.
Hon. Adams noted that the project was approved to address flooding and erosion in the Benin metropolis and other parts of Edo State following complaints from residents. He directed contractors to execute the work according to specifications from the Ministry’s Engineering Department, and cautioned that contracts could be revoked for non-compliance.
Declaring the exercise open, the Chairman of the ceremony and member of the Ministry’s Tenders Board, Mrs. Edith Ebomoyi, described the process as a critical step toward achieving the Sen. Monday Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda, which according to her, seeks to build a sustainable, resilient and well-planned Edo State that responds to citizens’ needs and aspirations.
Mrs. Ebomoyi said desilting and maintaining drainage structures were essential to keeping channels functional and controlling stormwater during heavy rainfall. She explained that the exercise complied with the Edo State Public Procurement Law 2020, and was guided by transparency, fairness, accountability, value for money and competitiveness.
She added that successful contractors must demonstrate professionalism, competence, integrity and commitment to quality. She maintained that all works must follow approved specifications and comply with environmental, engineering, health and safety standards.
