Kogi AGILE Project Moves to Renovate 728 Public Secondary Schools

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The Kogi State Government has commenced preparations for the large-scale renovation of 728 public secondary schools across the state’s three senatorial districts under the AGILE Project.

The State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo disclosed this at a one-day Environmental and Social Compliance Training for Technical Service Providers under the Kogi AGILE Project, held in Lokoja.

The training, supported by the World Bank, brought together building industry professionals who will oversee the execution of the renovation works across the state.

The project’s Component 1.2, which focuses on infrastructure renewal, will kick off with the renovation of 150 public secondary schools in the first phase. The remaining 578 schools will be addressed in subsequent phases, bringing the total number of benefiting schools to 728.

Represented by the Commissioner for Education, Mr. Wemi Jones, Governor Ododo emphasized that 30 Technical Service Providers were selected and trained to understand and strictly adhere to World Bank guidelines, specifications, and operational culture in project implementation.

He noted that while government can facilitate opportunities, performance and delivery rest squarely on the shoulders of the contractors.

“We can only help you secure the job; we cannot do it for you. The responsibility to deliver quality work according to specifications lies with you,” the Governor stated, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to repositioning the education sector.

The Governor urged Technical Service Providers (TSPs) engaged for the project to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, quality, and compliance in delivering the assignment.

In a remark, Mr. Erinms Emmanuel of the Admin/Grievance Redress Mechanism, National Project Coordinating Unit, said the AGILE Project is currently being implemented in 21 states, with seven already recording significant progress.

He urged the service providers to ensure transparency, integrity, and strict adherence to quality standards in the utilization of funds disbursed for the project, noting that proper execution is critical to safeguarding the state from financial liabilities.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Kogi State Project Coordinator of AGILE, Ahmed Tijani Oricha, explained that the training was designed to strengthen the capacity of Technical Service Providers in understanding and implementing environmental and social management safeguards tied to the AGILE Project.

According to him, the goal is to ensure that renovation works across schools are safe, inclusive, environmentally responsible, and socially sustainable.

He stressed that decisions taken on-site including workforce management, community engagement, and risk mitigation must align with World Bank environmental and social safety standards, including safeguards against gender-based violence.

A Resource Person and Environmental Consultant at the National Project Coordinating Unit in Abuja, Dr. Fadele Idowu, noted that participants were equipped with comprehensive knowledge of environmental protocols and safeguard instruments required for effective project execution.

Some of the Technical Service Providers, including Architect John Attah, Chairman of the Kogi State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, alongside Engineers Rahimat Muhammad and Salihu Adinoyi, described the training as impactful and timely.

They pledged to comply fully with the code of conduct signed and to deliver projects in strict accordance with approved specifications.