Take Full Advantage Of The Dry Season
OpenLife Nigeria reports that Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Friday, said his administration was taking advantage of the dry season to complete some of its ongoing projects across the state.
Governor Oborevwori disclosed this during an inspection of the Sector ‘A’ of the Ughelli-Asaba dualization project at Km 77 in Aradhe, Isoko North local government area of the state.
The Governor urged contractors to take advantage of the dry season to achieve some milestones on their projects.
He said, “First and foremost, we are not playing with the dry season that has started and we are urging all our contractors to utilise the dry season to deliver on their projects.
“For us, this dry season is all work and more work. We just finished Beneku bridge inspection and we are now here in Sector “A” of the Ughelli-Asaba road dualization project.”
On the issue of the risk of vehicular accidents happening because of the smoothness of the road, Governor Oborevwori appealed to motorists to exercise caution and observe all traffic rules to safeguard their lives and vehicles.
The governor added, “The road is very smooth, and the people are happy accessing the road. We know that by the time they finish this 139-kilometer road, it will serve these towns and villages.
“So, we are very happy with the progress of work and the good news is that they promised to finish this road between now and April.”
Oborevwori said that many projects had been completed but yet to be commissioned, noting that the most important thing was that the people were now making use of the projects.
“There are many roads that have been completed, but we’re not commissioning them, yet they are already using them.
“Like the Adagbrasa Road has been completed. The Upper and Lower Erejuwa Road, have been completed and they are using them. So, at a convenient time for us, we’ll commission some of those projects.
“The total stretch of this road is 139km; so, it’s a huge project, in fact, one of the biggest projects that we have ever embarked on in this state.
“It’s a big project that serves different communities and different towns. It is the only gateway from Wari to Asaba; so, it’s very important to all of us.”
On the Beneku bridge linking Ndokwa West and Ndokwa East local government areas, Governor Oborevwori expressed displeasure with the finishing, describing the aesthetics as poor.
He pointed out, “The last time we came for inspection, some of the things we observed, been done. But I’m not satisfied with the work, because the finishing is very poor.
“We know the bridge is solid, but the aesthetics is really bad. The finishing is very bad. This is not the kind of work I really need.
“So, I have spoken to the commissioner and also the engineer. They should see what they can do to make all these corrections before we commission the project.
“I have given the contractor enough time. This is a project I was supposed to commission about two months ago. We have paid 95%; so, we are not owing them.
“As it is today, we are not owing the contractor. It is for the contractor to deliver on the 5% that is left which is very, very key.
“But I will not even say 5% because of the wearing course; what is left is 40% of the wearing course.
“The aesthetics is not good.
“So, giving them time is not the issue now and I believe that I need to talk with the contractor.
“I will send for the contractor to explain why the finishing is poor.
“The issue of the finishing is not good because this is a bridge we need to celebrate because this particular bridge is very dear to the people of this area.”
Oborevwori recalled, “Over the years, they used pontoon to cross trucks, other vehicles and the rest. In 2019, we passed through the pontoon, too. Today, I am happy that you can drive across which is the beauty of it.
“This bridge is of great economic importance to the people here; it is one big project that the people of this particular area appreciate so much.
“We know some people will not be happy for this particular bridge because they were getting money and extorting people but now there’s no more extortion.
“People can pass here freely, before now you see companies bringing materials here; whatever they charged was what you will pay but now who do you want to charge when there is a free road?
“It is a free road you don’t pay anything to pass this road; it’s free. So, it’s very important to them.
“They are already using the bridge just, that the aesthetics are not too okay but they will put some finishing touches to enable us commission the bridge.”