We've done enough projects to celebrate 1st year in office - Oborevwori

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Monday, said his administration had completed many projects across the three senatorial districts of the state, billed for inauguration as part of activities to mark his first year anniversary in office. 

Governor Oborevwori said this while inspecting Edo Road in Ughelli; Emevor-Orogun Road in Isoko North, the bridge across the Obo River at Ogwashi-Uku in sector C 1 of the Ughelli-Asaba Road dualisation, and the 5.3km Okpanam-Ibusa by-pass road in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state. 

The Governor, who was conducted round the projects by the Commissioner for Works, Highways and Urban Roads, Comrade Reuben Izeze, and his counterpart in Rural and Riverine Roads, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said many projects had been completed and earmarked for inauguration, adding that he would start inaugurating projects before May 29. 

Specifically on Edo Road in Ughelli being constructed by Obakpor Engineering Limited, Governor Oborevwori said: "I was here some weeks ago, and the contractor promised that they were going to finish work on the road by the end of May and that's why I have come here to inspect what they are doing. 

"We introduced some box culverts here, because this place is always flooded, to channel water across to make the road durable. From what we have done here, once this ring road project is completed, it will help to reduce traffic congestion at Otovwodo Junction."

On the 4.4km Emevor-Orogun Road, Governor Oborevwori said; "I am very happy l am here today because few months ago, l commissioned Enwhe Road phase ll in Isoko South: now, l am in Isoko North. So, there is no local government area that would be left out in our MORE Agenda.

"In all the local government areas, we will make sure that we execute projects that will positively impact on the socio-economic lives of the people and I am very sure that this project will be commissioned by next month." 

On the deployment of concrete technology in road construction, Governor Oborevwori said the state government was already using the technology in some roads, including the Uduere Road and Edo Road in Ughelli. 

He said; "we are doing concrete on some of the roads because of the terrain of the area and l am satisfied with what the contractor (Obakpor  Engineering Limited) has done so far on that road". 

On the patronage of local contractors, he said; "sometimes, when you are awarding contracts, you must try the local base to know their level of competence and l am very impressed with the performance of local contractors in the state. 

"Yes, the big contractors are also doing very well as well. As you can see, the government is patronising both local and big contractors such as Julius Berger, Levant and CCECC, but l am very happy with local contractors. 

"With what l am seeing here now, the standard is very good and l am happy with what they are doing. We will continue to patronize them and other local contractors that are doing well. 

"Let me also thank the Commissioner for Works in charge of Rural and Riverine Roads, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, because he had always given details of works in each of those projects whenever I call him. 

"He will tell you the accurate position of each of the jobs under his ministry regarding what has been done and what is left to be done, and if you go there for inspection, what he told you is exactly what you will see." 

At the bridge across the Obo River in Ogwashi-Uku, the Governor said: "I decided to make a stopover here to ascertain the level of work done so far by the company (CCECC) handling Sector C 1 of the Asaba/Ughelli road dualisation project. 

"I am impressed with what the construction company is doing here. They are moving fast and they have assured us that they are going to do a lot before the rains set in." 

On whether the Federal Government would refund money for the construction of the road to the State Government, Governor Oborevwori said: "when we get to that bridge, we will cross it." 

He added, "even the flyover bridges that we are doing in Warri and Effurun are on federal roads. But any road constructed in Delta State, will be used by Deltans and other residents of the state as well as those coming to the state. 

"So, any road that we are doing, whether federal or state, as a government, we are doing what we know that will benefit the people, that will make our people not to suffer; their wellbeing is more important to us. 

"The construction company is doing its best. The Sector C2 is almost completed. This is Sector C1, the critical aspect of the project is this bridge that you are seeing now. So, this is the most difficult aspect in this road dualisation project. 

"I am happy with the work that they have done so far. They are working very well. The project is running on an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order, (ISPO). So, they will not complain that they are not being paid; they get their money every month on ISPO. That will make the work move very fast."