Last week was relatively busy for Governor of Sheriff Oborevwori. Shortly after giving out his younger sister, Ogheneochuko, in marriage to Mr Maurice Osirim at Living Faith Church, Osubi in Okpe local government area of Delta State on Saturday, he was up and about official duties.
On Monday, he was at work inspecting projects on which work had been on going across the three senatorial districts of the State.
On his way from his Osubi country home, Governor Oborevwori's first point of call was at the Udu Harbour Market in Udu Local Government Area of the state. An age-long market conceived by the James Ibori's administration but couldn't be completed because the earlier contractor jumped ship and abandoned the project.
In the twilight of the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, he re-awarded the project to another contractor smarting from the completion of the popular Ogheye Floating Market in Warri North Local Government Area.
In fact, in the course of the inspection of the projects, the governor said his administration had done enough projects across the three senatorial districts to mark its first year anniversary in office.
Governor Oborevwori said this while inspecting Edo Road in Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Emevor-Orogun road in Isoko North local government area; the bridge across River Obo in Ogwashi -Uku in sector C1 of the Ughelli-Asaba Road dualisation and the 5.3km Okpanam-Ibusa by-pass road in Oshimili North local government area of the state.
On the trip, the governor, who was conducted round by the Commissioners for Works-Comrade Reuben Izeze (Highways and Urban roads) and Mr. Charles Aniagawu ( Rural and Riverine roads), said that many projects have been completed and earmarked for inauguration.
He said he would start inauguration of projects before May 29, 2024, the first anniversary of his administration.
Specifically on Edo Road in Ughelli- being handled by Obakpor Engineering Limited. The governor 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 Ughelli ring road is completed, it will help to reduce traffic congestion at Otovwodo Junction."
On the 4.4 km Emevor-Orogun Road, Governor Oborevwori said, "I am very happy I am here today because few months ago, I commissioned Enwhe Road phase II in Isoko South; now, I am in Isoko North. So, there is no local government area that will 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."
The governor, who also spoke on the deployment of concrete in road construction, said that the state government was already using the technology in the construction of some roads, including 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 I am satisfied with what the contractor has done so far on that road."
On the patronage of local contractors, Governor Oborevwori said; "sometimes, when you are awarding contracts, you must try the local base to know their level of competence and I am very impressed with the performance of local contractors in the state.
"Yes, the big contractors are also doing very well. As you can see, the government is patronizing both local and big contractors such as Julius Berger, Levant and CCECC, but I am very happy with the local contractors.
"With what I am seeing here now, the standard is very good and I am happy with what we are doing. We will continue to patronize them and other local contractors that are doing well.
At the bridge across Obo river in Ogwashi -Uku, the governor said; "I decided to make a stop over here to ascertain the level of work done so far by the contractor (CCECC) handling Sector C1 of the Asaba/ Ughelliroad 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".
The governor equally spoke on the issue of refund for the projects handled by the state government on Federal roads, saying; "when we get to that bridge, we will cross it."
For effect, Governor Oborevwori said; "even the flyover bridges that we are doing in Warri and Effurun are on Federal Government 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, the bad roads 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".
On the Ughelli/Asaba road dualisation project, he said; "the construction company is doing its best. The Sector C2 is almost completed. This is Sector C1, the critical aspect in this road dualisation project.
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"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."
Harbour Mkt Completion
The new contractor hit the ground running and when Governor Oborevwori came calling on Monday, he was impressed with the pace and progress of the work at the Udu Harbour Market. He assured the contractor of regular payment for his certificates and got a commitment from the contractor to deliver the project within one year.
Governor Oborevwori gave the assurance after inspecting ongoing works on the project, which according to him had delayed for too long.
Accompanied by the Commissioner for Trade and Investments, Mr Samuel Oligida, his Housing counterpart, Hon. Godknows Angele and the Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Chief Vincent Oyibode, Governor Oborevwori assured the contractor of prompt payments of his certificates.
He warned that his administration have zero tolerance for shoddy jobs and urged him to work harder to deliver the project on time as promised.
