Delta State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, Friday, said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was committed to ensuring even development across the state.
The Commissioner stated this while inspecting ongoing works at the Trans-Warri – Ode-Itsekiri Road and bridges in Warri South Local Government Area of the state.
He said that he was at the project site on the directive of the Governor to ascertain progress made on the site and challenges slowing down the project completion.
Izeze who was in company of the Special Projects Director, Chief Adams Otimeyin, Director Highways in the Ministry, Mrs Juliet Aboloje and other top officials of the Ministry, said Governor Oborevwori was committed to the completion of the project.
Saying that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is determined to complete the project, he said; “the Governor, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has asked us to come and see what has been done so far and to know what the challenges are and to report back to him.
“He has assured Deltans that his M.O.R.E Agenda is his covenant with all Deltans irrespective of tribe or religion or race but remains committed to the even development of Delta State.
“This is one project I am sure he will like to see to conclusion and we have seen what has been done by the contractor, Setraco Nigeria Limited and the fact speaks for itself.
“When you get to a site and you look at the quality of work that has been done vis-à-vis your Bill of quantities and Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation and you find out that no corners have been cut, it gives you a measure of satisfaction and it gives you the courage to report to your principal what you have seen.
“Governor Oborevwori is committed to his M.O.R.E Agenda, it is not a slogan but a working document and I know that once we give him feedback on what we have seen, he is going to do everything possible to ensure that the challenges that has made this project to linger for so long are addressed.
“On the competition date of this project, we will have to sit down with our team of Engineers and am sure once the Governor gets these facts, certainly before the end his first term, he will complete and inaugurate this project by the grace of God.”
Deputy Director Highways, Engr. Darlington Wagbatsoma on his part, said the Trans-Warri Ode-Itsekiri Road and bridges is a 26km long with 12.8km main alignment and spurs 6.5km and Ode-Itsekiri internal roads 7km.
“Because of funding the project has been adjusted to accommodate the main alignment, Ode-Itsekiri internal roads and two jetties to ferry cars from the other side of the Warri River.
“We have 19 bridges on this road and before the Warri River we have done seven bridges and after the Warri River we have done nine and we still have about four to go”.
The Commissioner also inspected works on the ongoing construction works by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc at the DSC Roundabout where he expressed confidence that the company would complete the project on target.
“Work has commenced just as the Governor promised and Julius Berger has mobilised to site and they are trying to create alternate routes to ease the sufferings of our people and to reduce daily man hour loss here so that it seems nothing has changed but something is changing.
“This will continue all through the lifespan of this project. We are also trying to relocate the polls off the route that the construction is passing.
“We are just waiting for the necessary approvals to remove the electric polls from the right of way. As you can see the excitements on the faces of the people as they can see that Julius Berger is on ground. The average Nigerian believes that once Julius Berger is on site the quality of the job and timeline for delivery is guaranteed.
“The traders around are all excited seeing Julius Berger for the very first time working in Delta State as contractor to the Delta State Government and not the Federal Government.
“We want to encourage Deltans to continue to maintain the peace and to cooperate with our engineers and the contractors so that there will be no hitches in the course of this project.
“Let me also add that the multiplier effect of this project will be felt across the entire neighbourhood surrounding this project. I have seen a couple of persons I used to know that ordinarily would have been on the streets constituting nuisance.
“But I am seeing them working on this project as employees and that has taken that pool of restless youths off the labour market.”
On youth disturbances on project sites, Izeze warned that the Public Private Property Protection Law was still in force, adding that any youth who disturbs any government project would be prosecuted.