Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State is passionate about the execution of quality projects and has taken it upon himself to regularly visit project sites and also seizes every available opportunity to warn contractors against compromising on standards.
Few appointees of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State ever anticipated that project inspections would feature on a Sunday itinerary. However, that was exactly what happened last Sunday when, after church service, the governor embarked on an unscheduled inspection of projects within Asaba and its environs.
At the proposed Asaba International Market, Oborevwori assured that the state would experience accelerated project delivery in 2025. He noted that the site, which was formerly the Abraka Market, had become a hotspot for criminal activities before the state government relocated the market to Oko.
“The state government decided to relocate the market to Oko and we have made arrangements with Efab Properties Limited to develop this place. “The state government is getting 20 per cent because we are providing land and they are to build and allocate but we will get 20 per cent from it and it’s something that we encourage,” he said.
At the Asaba Waterfront City Project, on Tuesday, the governor explained that it was conceived by the previous administration through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. He said the state government’s role was to construct a six-lane access road to the new city, while the developers were expected to develop the city.
“Asaba is becoming very attractive to property developers who are coming from Lagos to Asaba because Asaba today is housing most of those people from the South-East. They are coming here because they find Asaba very comfortable and they know that we are also hospitable.
“The Asaba Waterfront City Project is a Public/ Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement between the state government and the developers.
“Our obligation is to reclaim the place to give them an access route, a six-lane access road, to this place. They have done about 20 per cent of this job; the challenge they are having is the buildings on the right of way.
“We have released money for compensation to the property owners and we have also released funds to the contractor for the project. They have assured us they will complete the road project in July. So, I have come here to look at the work that has been done and I am happy that they are on site,” he said.
At the Oko-Amakom to Oko-Obiakpu main alignment road, the governor said: “This road is very important to the people of Oko; it is one meter above the 2012 flood level and the people sought refuge on the road during the last flood. The contractor has assured us that the project will be completed in June/July this year. What we are spending here on this road is much more than what we would have spent in constructing a 10km road elsewhere because of the terrain.
“It is our strong commitment towards opening up rural areas to enhance the economic development of our rural dwellers.” On the Marine Road, Off Cable Point Road, Asaba, Oborevwori said the road was very vital to the people of Asaba because goods are ferried from across River Niger. He assured that the state government was working hard to clean up Asaba, stressing, “we want the best for them and I believe that this year a lot will change.”
Oborevwori also inspected the ongoing construction work on Leo Okonweze and Odozi-Obodo streets, off Ezenei Avenue, in Asaba, and urged the contractors to expedite completion of the projects.
The same Tuesday, Oborevwori reiterated that he was out for erring contractors who execute shoddy jobs for the state, vowing that he would severely sanction such contractors and site engineers who okay shoddy jobs for payment.
He issued the warning shortly after inspecting the Achalla-Ibusa Road being executed by the state government. The governor, who frowned at the poor quality of the drainage constructed by the contractor handling the project, reiterated that his administration would not tolerate any shoddy job.
He disclosed that his decision to inspect the project stemmed from an unsatisfactory feedback he had received from individuals he had previously sent to evaluate the project.
Oborevwori, who also inspected the recently completed internal roads in the 63 Brigade Barracks of the Nigerian Army in Aboh-Ogwashi, applauded the contractor for the speedy execution of the project, which he said was awarded three months ago.
“We awarded this project three months ago, and I am pleased to commend the contractor for doing an excellent job. This road will encourage further development, allowing the Army to proceed with building structures in the area,” he said.
Other projects inspected by the governor included the gully erosion site along Okpanam-Ibusa bypass, the perimeter fence and road around Asaba International Airport as well as Kwekagbor Layout, opposite Summit Junction, Asaba.
On Thursday Oborevwori repeated the warning against poor quality jobs, saying his administration’s priority remained the delivery of quality projects aimed at giving value to the people, regardless of personal relationships. He spoke during the inspection of multiple projects in Asaba, the state capital, emphasising that competence, integrity and value for money were critical to his administration’s M.O.R.E Agenda.
The projects inspected included Ogbeosonwe Ogbeilo road, Ogbogonogo market storm drainage project and Ogbe-Ofu Road, off Jarret Road, Cable Point, Asaba.
Others are the Amaechi Agusi Street with 10 adjoining streets, Dorah Allanah Street, Oluu Street, Burutu Drive, off Infant Jesus Road, Odilison Junior Crescent, Agbogun Close, Ngozi Odiaka Avenue, Aloy Isomede Street, Ezeobi Ojukwu Street, and Ajudua Street, Okpanam, Aretha Table Water Street, Off NTA Road, Asaba, and Redeemer’s Street Asaba.
Oborevwori said: “I was elected to serve the people of Delta, not to please a select few. Friendship cannot and will not take precedence over the quality of projects we provide for the people. Contractors in the state know that.
“I have always emphasised the need for quality jobs but the people who are causing this problem are not the big companies; it is some of our indigenous contractors that are causing these problems.”
The governor is so concerned about the quality of projects executed by his administration that he seizes every opportunity to warn contractors who may be plotting to cheat the state. At the 50th birthday thanksgiving of the Majority Leader of the Delta State House of Assembly, Emeka Nwaobi, at St. Paul’s Catholic Cathedral, Issele-Uku, Aniocha North Local Council of the state, he declared that all his actions are guided by the interest of the people, assuring that no one would shortchange the state under his watch.
Oborevwori said: “As people in authority, we must do what we will be remembered for; so, I am happy that you are empowering people from your constituency. We have so many people today who don’t want the progress of this state. What we are doing now some people are not happy because they feel we want to outshine them.
“But we will always do what the people want; for us, it is the people first, Delta first. All these positions are temporary; the thing you will be remembered for is the service you rendered and I am doing my own now.
“Like I told people, the state’s contractors, nobody is my friend because the people who voted for me want the best from me.
“It is me the people will ask questions, not you as a contractor. So, some people may not be happy, but that is their business. At the end, I will be remembered for the good things that I achieved for them.”
The governor is no doubt keeping contractors on their toes, a development that will surely leave Delta State with a plethora of projects that will last the test of time by the end of his tenure.
