Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborewori is committed to the infrastructural Development of all parts of the State, says the State’s Commissioner for Works, rural roads, Mr Charles Aniagu.
Aniagu made the remarks on Thursday, when he inspected the 2.7km Issele-Azagba/Otulu road linking Aniocha North and South Local Government Areas of the state, noting that the governor’s commitment for quality jobs was not negotiable.
The Commissioner also cautioned communities hosting state government’s projects against putting obstacles that could cause delay in the completion of projects.
According to Aniagu, “anyone that wants to cause problems the government will take action against that person. You cannot say because of your own selfish desire you will now prevent the entire community from enjoying what the government wants to bring for them. We are not doing them a favour, we are doing what they have elected the governor to do.”
While pointing out that the road cut through two local governments, Aniocha North and South Local Government Areas, he said, “the road cuts across two local governments in Delta North Senatorial District. The governor knows that this road was in Delta North when he approved this project, and this project to the best of my knowledge is also in the locality where you have the Senator Representing Delta North.
“If anybody wakes up that the governor does not like the people of Delta North, you can show them this project. This is not the only road in Delta North, there are many roads we are doing in Delta North. When people want to play politics, they need to be able to look at the type of politics they’re playing.
“We want to be able to reach out to our people, we have a governor who is interested in building bridges. Not just physical bridges, but bridges of understanding, bridges of inter-relationship, bridges of unity, and of course bridges that bring MORE to the people we are serving.”
Aniagu further said that he was on site to assess the level of work and work schedule of the contractor, Diamond Lead Construction Limited, disclosing that the state has mobilized the contractor with about 30 percent of the total contract sum.
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The Commissioner who also inspected the ongoing construction of the Ichie James Obodoechi Avenue/Chikozie Okafor Road, and the repair of the failed portion of the Benin/Onitsha Expressway, in Asaba, Oshimili South, said the governor is wants to ensure that every community in the state enjoy good road network.
On the Benin/Onitsha Expressway he said, “You do know that this is a Federal road, and the state of this road alone Ezenie junction has been a source of concern, and the governor is very much disturbed about this. Before now he has asked me to come and see what we can do with a view to making this place motorable for our people because a number of persons are going through a lot of stress here.”
He explained that the state government could not take over repairs on the failed portion due to the fact that it has already been awarded by the federal government, adding that the state has dialogue with the contractor, and he has shown enough commitment to the job.
“We need to plead to our people to bear with us because we couldn’t have jumped into this particular road when there is already a contractor who is ready to work, who is having challenges because of the material he needed, so that is why you saw what looks like delay. But we would continue to impress on the contractor the need to apply more speed.”
