Engineering Services
Director
EZEOHA FERDINAND OBIORA
Engr. Obiora commenced his engineering career as a Public Engineer with the Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructures, Abuja in 1988 during his Youth Service. His career with the FCDA began in 1989 and has in the past three decades risen through the ranks of an Assistant Chief Resident Engineer, Chief Resident Engineer, Resident Engineer, Deputy Director, and Acting Director before his present post as Director.
Engr. Ezeoha is a Member of the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, a Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and a Member of the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers.
Brief History
The Department of Engineering Services has always been a part of the Federal Capital Development Authority from the onset, of 1978, promulgated by a decree.
It is one of the Technical Departments of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). Its mandate involves the Conceptualization, Planning and Development of Engineering Infrastructure within the Federal Capital City (FCC) and Regional Roads Network in the Territory in accordance with the Abuja Master Plan.
Vision and Mission
Vision
- “To project the Department of Engineering Services as a highly professional government establishment in the field of Provision of Engineering Infrastructure and Services”
Mission
- To provide functional facilities and efficient services in the Federal Capital City and Federal Capital Territory at minimum cost.
At the inception of FCDA, it was originally known as the Public Works Department. As time went on public works gave birth to the Department of Engineering, Public Building. The engineering department had three (3) divisions namely City Infrastructure, Regional Infrastructure, and Electrical/Water & Sewage.
Under Electrical, there were city and rural. City infrastructure was later split into North and South while Central and Regional were combined.
Functions
- To implement the provision of Engineering Infrastructure to the FCC
- Contribute to the development of the FCT through the provision of road infrastructure, electricity, water supply, telecom ducts and sewage treatment plants
- Rehabilitation
3.1 FUNCTIONS OF THE DIVISIONS AND SPECIALIZED UNITS
In order to achieve the set targets, the Department assigned responsibilities to the various Divisions and Specialized Units as follows: –
3.1.1 City Infrastructure (North) Division
The City Infrastructure (North) Division is saddled with the responsibility of planning and development of District Infrastructure in the Northern development corridor of the Federal Capital City (FCC) as provided under the Abuja Master Plan. The Northern development corridor is the area bounded by the Inner Northern Expressway (INEX) and the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) as well as the Northern Urban Fringes. The Division also carries out any other function as may be assigned by the Director of Engineering Services. The Division is headed by a Deputy Director.
3.1.2 City Infrastructure (South) Division
The primary responsibility of City Infrastructure (South) Division is the planning and development of District Infrastructure in Southern development corridor of the Federal Capital City (FCC) as provided under the Abuja Master Plan. The Southern development corridor is the area bounded by the Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX) and the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) as well as the Southern Urban Fringes. The Division also carries out any other function as may be assigned by the Director of Engineering Services. The Division is headed by a Deputy Director.
3.1.3 City Infrastructure (Central) Division
This Division is charged with the responsibility of planning and development of District Infrastructure in Central development corridor of the Federal Capital City (FCC) as provided under the Abuja Master Plan. The Central development corridor is the area between the Inner Northern Expressway (INEX) and the Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX) as well as the Central Urban Fringes. The Division also carries out any other function as may be assigned by the Director of Engineering Services. The Division is headed by a Deputy Director.
3.1.4 City Infrastructure (Regional) Division
This Division is charged with the responsibility of planning and development of FCT Regional Roads/Highways, Expressways, Ring Roads, Parkways, and Transitways along with the associated infrastructure as provided under the Abuja Master Plan. The Division is particularly tasked with the responsibility of liaising and coordinating activities of the Department with the related Federal MDAs such as the Federal Ministry of Works & Housing (FMW&H), Federal Ministry of Transport (FMT), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) amongst others. The Division also carries out any other function as may be assigned by the Director of Engineering Services. The Division is headed by a Deputy Director.
3.1.5 Water & Sewage Division
This Division is charged with the responsibility of planning and developing of Primary Water Supply, and Liquid & Solid Waste Management Infrastructure Facilities in accordance with the Abuja Master Plan provision. The Division is particularly tasked with the responsibility of liaising and coordinating activities of Liquid & Solid Waste Management as well as Water Supply with the AEPB and FCT-Water Board. The Division also carries out any other function as may be assigned by the Director of Engineering Services. The Division is headed by a Deputy Director.
3.1.6 Electrical (North) Division
The responsibility of the Electrical (North) Division involves planning, coordination, and development of all Electrical Power Supply Infrastructure (33KV and below) within the area between the Airport Expressway and the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX). The Division is equally charged with coordinating activities of relevant MDAs and public and/or private corporations within the assigned area of purview such as the Federal Ministry of Power (FMP), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Nigerian Electricity Management Service Agency (NEMSA), Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC). The Division also carries out any other function as may be assigned by the Director of Engineering Services. The Division is headed by a Deputy Director.
3.1.7 Electrical (South) Division
The responsibility of the Electrical (South) Division involves planning, co-ordination and development of all Electrical Power Supply Infrastructure (33KV and below) within the area between the Airport Expressway and the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX). The Division is equally charged with coordinating activities of relevant MDAs and public and/or private corporations within the assigned area of purview such as Federal Ministry of Power (FMP), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Nigerian Electricity Management Service Agency (NEMSA), Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC). The Division also carries out any other function as may be assigned by the Director of Engineering Services. The Division is headed by a Deputy Director.
3.1.8 Geology Division
The functions of the Division include coordination and supervision of all Geological, Hydro-Geological and Hydrological Mapping as well as Sub-soil Investigation in the FCT. The Unit also coordinates the activities of Solid Minerals Exploration/Exploitation (in collaboration with the Area Councils) with relevant MDAs such as Federal Ministry of Mines & Steel Development, Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) through the FCT Mineral Resources Management Committee (MIREMCO). The Division also carries out any other function as may be assigned by the Director of Engineering Services. The Division is headed by a Deputy Director.
3.1.9 Telecommunication Unit
The Unit is responsible for the Planning, Development, Coordination and Supervision of Telecommunication and ICT Infrastructure in the FCT. The Unit equally handles the Management and Leasing of Telecommunication Ducts facilities to Private Telecommunication Operators (PTOs) for the purpose of enhancing the Authority’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The Unit also carries out any other function as may be assigned by the Director of Engineering Services. The Unit is headed by an Assistant Director.
3.1.10 Logistics Unit
The Unit is responsible for handling all Departmental Budgetary Matters, Compilation of Progress Reports on Projects, Documentation of Contract Records and Payment Processes as well as liaison with FCDA Departments, relevant FCTA SDAs, Federal MDAs & National Assembly on all such related matters. The Unit also carries out any other function as may be assigned by the Director of Engineering Services. The Unit is headed by an Assistant Director.
3.1.11 Engineering Infrastructure Special Intervention Unit (EISIU)
The primary responsibility of this unit is to handle all Emergency and Special projects for the Department as may be assigned by the Director of Engineering Services. The Unit is headed by an Assistant Director.
3.1.12 Admin Unit
The Unit is responsible for the coordination of all administrative and staff matters in the Department in liaison with the FCDA Central Admin. The Unit as currently operated is headed by a Deputy Director.
3.1.13 Public Relations Unit
The Unit is responsible for the coordination of all public relations matters for the Department in liaison with the FCDA Head of Public Relations. The Unit is currently headed by a Chief Public Relations Officer.
3.2 DEPARTMENTAL ORGANISATIONAL REFORM
It is worth noting that while the Year 2014 approved the Departmental Organizational structure, there were challenges associated with its implementation as observed by a Departmental Committee set up in February 2018 as follows:
- Project distribution for the supervision of the various Divisions and Units was not in accordance with the corresponding Master Plan delineation of development corridors with respect to responsibilities and areas of coverage.
- Manning levels/staff strengths as well as staff distribution to the various Divisions appeared to be grossly inadequate and, in some cases, lopsided in terms of number, cadre, and grade levels.
- There was no clearly identified schedule of responsibilities for the Assistant Director cadre.
- Delegation and assignment of responsibilities for some Special or Emergency projects/programmes that traverses across areas of coverage of the various Divisions/Units.
In view of the above-listed challenges highlighted by the Departmental Committee, the Departmental Management saw the need to adopt the recommendations contained in their report by reverting the Divisions to operate as specialized branches and custodians of information relating to areas of assigned responsibilities and/or particular aspect of the provision of engineering infrastructure to the city. Thus, the review resulted in the following reforms: –
- Branches were created in the Divisions to clearly define responsibilities for the Assistant Directors with a view to promote professionalism and information/data management. Thus, due to the exigencies of the time, City Infrastructure North, South & Central Divisions were assigned to have four (4) Assistant Directors each while Water & Sewage, Regional and Geology Divisions have five (5) Assistant Directors each in line with their defined responsibilities and areas of coverage.
- Projects distribution for supervision by the various Divisions were made to be in tandem with the corresponding delineation of development corridors with respect to each Division/Unit.
- A case for the recruitment of additional staff to fill the identified vacancies observed in the departmental staff strength was made, which resulted in the employment of additional staff in the Year 2019. Furthermore, prior to the employment of the additional staff, redistribution of staff to the various Divisions and Branches within the Department to address the observed imbalance in number, cadre and grade levels was carried out.
- Creation of the Engineering Infrastructure Special Intervention Unit to handle Special and/or Emergency projects/programmes that traverse across the areas of coverage of the various Divisions/Units.
Structure
To effectively perform its functions, the Department of Engineering Services is structured into eight (8) divisions each headed by a Deputy Director and three (3) specialized units headed by an Assistant Director.
The divisions are as follows:
- City Infrastructure (North)
- City Infrastructure (South)
- City Infrastructure (Central)
- City Infrastructure (Regional)
- Water and Sewage
- Electrical (North)
- Electrical (South)
- Geology
The Specialized Units include:
- Logistics headed by an Assistant Director
- Telecommunications headed by a Deputy Director
- Engineering Infrastructure Special Intervention Unit headed by an AD
- Finance and Administration Unit headed by a Deputy Director
- Public Relations Unit headed by a Chief Executive Officer-Public Relations
- Planning and Development of Primary Infrastructure such as Primary & Regional Roads, Water Supply, Power Supply, Foul & Storm Water Drainage, Solid Waste Facilities, Gas Supply Network, Telecommunication Ducts, and other associated infrastructure facilities.
- Planning and Development of District infrastructure involving the reticulation of all Secondary and Tertiary infrastructure.
- Carrying out Sub-soil/Geophysical investigations, Geological studies, and Mineral Exploration within the FCT.
- Coordinates the preparation of the Departmental budgets, keeps and maintains records of all draw-downs on projects.
- All other Ad-Hoc responsibilities are assigned by the FCDA Management.
Contact
Department Email: engineeringservices@fcda.gov.ng
Head of Department: ezeoha.obiora@fcda.gov.ng
Past Directors
- Engr F.A.O Oseni. FNSE 1978-1981
- Engr E.A Aguele 1981-1983
- Engr E.I Galadima (Electrical/Mechanical) 1983-1987
- Engr Dikko (Civil Engineering Services) 1984-1987
- Engr A.A KURE. FNSE 1987-1995
- Engr S.K Danladi. FNSE 2000-2003
- Engr M.S Alhassan. FNSE 2003-2006
- Engr J.Z Cheto. FNSE 2006-2010
- Engr Sylvester Ugonabo. FNSE 2010-2012
- Engr M.A Soso. FNSE 2010-2012
- Engr A. A Abu. FNSE 2012-2017
- Engr S.H Ahmad. FNSE 2017-2021