Ododo urges engineers to uphold standards, accountability in Kogi projects, unveils inspection kits

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has charged engineers, supervisors and technical personnel involved in public infrastructure projects to uphold professional standards, accountability, teamwork and safety, stressing the need for effective supervision to ensure quality and value for money.

Ododo gave the charge on Tuesday at the Government House, Lokoja, while unveiling project inspection kits produced by the state Ministry of Works to strengthen project monitoring and improve the visibility and safety of government engineers at construction sites.

The governor said the effective delivery of infrastructure depended not only on government investment but also on the professionalism, commitment and technical competence of the personnel responsible for executing and monitoring projects.

He described the Ministry of Works as a strategic arm of government responsible for translating policies into tangible infrastructure, noting that its performance was critical to the success of his administration’s development agenda.

According to him, closer engagement with civil servants since assuming office has strengthened his confidence in their capacity to deliver, provided they operate in a supportive environment that promotes responsibility, discipline and teamwork.

Ododo urged engineers to offer sound technical advice on project execution and ensure that established standards and procedures were followed, regardless of the status of those involved.

“When you work for the people, you’re indirectly working for yourself. When you project your commitment, you’re also projecting yourself,” the governor said.

He called for stronger collaboration between political officeholders and career civil servants, emphasising that mutual respect, professional advice and adherence to due process were essential to preventing errors that could undermine the quality, durability and value of public infrastructure.

The governor warned that project supervision must be taken seriously, urging technical personnel to remain committed to their responsibilities and ensure that public projects meet the required specifications.

He also formally unveiled reflective jackets for engineers and other technical staff, describing the initiative as an important measure to enhance their protection and visibility while carrying out inspections at construction sites.

Ododo said the inspection kits would help distinguish government officials responsible for monitoring projects from contractors and other personnel, thereby improving accountability and making official site visits more effective.

He expressed appreciation to engineers, accountants, technicians, supervisors and other civil servants for their contributions to the development of the state, urging them to sustain their commitment to public service.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Works, Hon. Barr. Salami Momodu Ozigi Deedat, described the ministry as a major driver of infrastructure development in Kogi State, noting that it remained committed to advancing ongoing projects and sustaining work on inherited projects.

He said the ministry’s priorities included improving road networks, strengthening connectivity and supporting the delivery of infrastructure required to enhance public services and economic activities across the state.

Deedat explained that the introduction of the inspection kits was designed to give government engineers a distinct professional identity during project inspections and improve the process of monitoring contractors’ performance.

He observed that, before the initiative, government personnel sometimes depended on arrangements made by contractors during site visits, making it difficult to distinguish officials responsible for independent supervision from those executing the projects.

The commissioner said the new kits would make government inspectors more identifiable and reinforce their role in ensuring that projects were delivered in line with approved standards and specifications.

He urged engineers and other beneficiaries to use the kits appropriately and maintain regular engagement with the ministry’s leadership to ensure that the initiative achieved its intended purpose.

Deedat added that the governor’s attention to infrastructure development placed a greater responsibility on ministry officials to maintain high professional standards, strengthen supervision and ensure that public resources translated into durable and beneficial projects.

The initiative underscores the state government’s emphasis on professional oversight, workplace safety and accountability in infrastructure delivery, with engineers expected to play a central role in ensuring that projects meet approved requirements and serve the needs of the people.