Delta govt reiterates commitment to completing all projects

Delta Government on Tuesday reiterated its commitment to ensuring the completion of all ongoing and approved projects before the exit of Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa-led government in 2023.

The State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Mr Noel Omodon, said this while briefing newsmen on some of the decisions reached at the State Executive Council meeting in Asaba.

According to the commissioner, the council’s meeting was presided over by the Deputy Governor, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro.

He said the vision of the state government was to complete all ongoing projects, emphasising that there would be zero tolerance for project abandonment.

He said that the state government had approved the upward review of most ongoing projects to reflect the hike in prices of goods and services to ensure the contractors deliver them without delays.

Omodon said that other new projects were approved to address the demands in certain quarters.

According to him, the council approved the construction of Ededhe Road in Otor-Igho, Isoko North; Orogun by-pass road in Ughelli North; an upward review of the contract sum for Olorogun Kuti Avenue in Owa-Alero, Ika North-East; and an expansion of Old Lagos by-pass, Okpanam in Oshimili North Local Government Area.

“Also approved for upward review of the contract sum is the second phase of the Madonna College Road, Asaba; construction of Otewe/Ochuko/Ovwian St., off James Ovie St., Okuokokor in Okpe LGA; and construction of Jarret, Kano and Okocha St., off Dennis Osadebey Way, Asaba in Oshimili South LGA.

“A lot of ongoing physical projects were considered. There were lots of request for reviews as a result of fluctuation in prices.

“It approved the construction of Ededhe Road in Otor-Igho, Isoko North LGA and construction of Orogun by-pass Road in Orogun town as well as an upward review of Olorogun Kuti Avenue in Owa-Alero, Ika North East.

“We approved the construction of Ejeme Aniogor/Obidigbo/Ekuku-Agbor Road in Aniocha South Local Government Area. It is an 8.5km road but in this first phase, we will take about 6.7km from Ejeme-Aniogor to Obidigbo,” Omodon said.

He lauded the people for their sustained support to the Okowa-led administration in the state, promising that the politics of 2023 would not derail the Stronger Delta Vision.

The commissioner noted that the state government would issue a white paper on the report of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry into the intra-communal conflict in Evwreni town, Ughelli North LGA of the state.

“The council considered the government white paper on the report of the Judiciary Panel of lnquiry into the intra-communal crisis in Evwreni, Ughelli North LGA.

“We have adopted a lot of recommendations and also made some adjustments going forward and the report would soon be made public,” Omodon said.

He said that the Judicial Panel of Inquiry which was inaugurated on Oct. 20, 2021 following the crisis in Evwreni that led to a number of deaths, massive destruction of property and displacement of persons, submitted its report on March 18, 2022.