Victor Efeizomor
24 October 2009
Asaba — Delta State Government has expressed dissatisfaction over the extent of work and the tardy nature of execution of the N 2. 5 billion Orogodo River Dredging Project in Ika community, which is intended to check flooding and erosion menace in the area.
Following the heavy flooding and erosion threat frequently faced by the people of the community, comprising Owa and Agbor during raining season, the state government in 2007 approved N 2. 5 billion for the dredging the Orogodo River to checkmate the perennial erosion problem in the community.
But two years after N1.4billion was released to Rolex Nigerian Limited, an indigenous construction firm handling the project, as mobilisation fee, work has not reached appreciable level.
Against this backdrop, Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Bello Orubebe, gave a 16-week ultimatum to the contractor within which to complete the project or risk prosecution by authorities for breach of contract.
Orubebe expressed dissatisfaction at the amount of work done so far, saying that if the contractor has properly studied the environment , he would have been able to take full advantage of the weather to cover more grounds, adding that government would not tolerate any form of delay from the contractors neither will it allow for the re-evaluation of the cost of the contract.
He advised the contractors to work in tandem with other stake holders such a the contractor handling the dualisation project of the old Agbor - Lagos Road, Benin - Owena River Basin dredging and ministry of Environment to allow for compatibility.
Orubebe, who also gave the marching order during his inspection visit to the site, explained that "due to the strategic importance attached to the project and with the huge financial resources committee so far by the Uduaghan administration, there was the need to ensure a lasting solution to the ecological problem in these communities is achieved."
The commissioner added that there was the need for a proper environmental audit in terms of vegetation and species along the Orogodo River to be carried out to ensure environmental sustainability of the area.
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