Delta State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, has slammed the contractor handling the Asaba-Achala-Ibusa Road project for flouting a direct order from Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, sparking outrage over the prolonged suffering of communities depending on the critical route.
During a surprise inspection visit on Thursday, the Commissioner, represented by his Special Assistant (Technical), Engr. Ejovi Adasen, expressed frustration over the glaring non-compliance with the governor’s directive to fix major issues on the road’s storm drainage system.
Describing the contractor’s progress as “unacceptable,” Engr. Adasen revealed that only 37% of the 6.25-kilometre project has been completed since its award in October 2022. Despite repeated supervision and clear instructions, vital corrections to the trapezoidal drains remain ignored, months after the governor’s directive.
The Asaba-Achala-Ibusa Road, a lifeline for residents and businesses across Oshimili North, continues to deteriorate. Its current state poses a serious threat to local trade, daily transportation, and the economic growth of the region. Under Governor Oborevwori’s ambitious MORE Agenda, the project was meant to be a priority in fast-tracking road infrastructure, but this delay paints a different picture.
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“We have visited this project multiple times to ensure adherence to the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME),” Adasen told journalists at the site. “Unfortunately, the contractor has only completed crushed stone-base work on about one kilometre of the road. The rest remains in limbo.”
He further stated that parts of the drainage were marked for demolition and reconstruction due to poor execution, yet the contractor has failed to act. “This is a clear case of defiance,” Adasen said. “When a governor gives a directive, it must be executed—no excuses. Anything short of that is a disservice to the people of Delta State.”
With growing public concern over the stalled project, the Ministry of Works has vowed to recall the contractor for an urgent review and enforce compliance. “We are not going to let this slide,” Adasen emphasized. “The people deserve better.”
