By Anne Azuka
Delta State Government has terminated the contract for the rehabilitation of Warri Township Stadium due to non-performance.
The State Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, disclosed this while speaking to newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in Asaba.
Also, the State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban), Comrade Reuben Izeze who explained reasons the contract was terminated, said the state government was not satisfied with the pace of work, adding that the contractor if allowed, would not be able to deliver the job which was originally billed for completion in 24 months.
According to him, “as you are aware, Governor Oborevwori, in the course of his inaugural address, promised Deltans that the MORE Agenda was going to be his working document.
“He stated clearly that Asaba will continue to receive its pride of place as our state capital and Warri will also receive a face-lift.
“Consequent upon that commitment that he made to Deltans, today, Exco approved the termination of the existing contract for the rehabilitation of the Warri Township Stadium.
“Exco, in its wisdom, under the guidance of the Governor, has discovered that the contracting firm handling the project does not have the technical knowhow to deliver that project on time.
“Therefore, that existing contract has been terminated as of today. In due course, you will be informed of the contractor that will be handling a modern Warri Stadium that will be befitting of the ancient oil city.
On his part, the Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr. Charles Aniagwu, said Exco also approved upward review of a number of projects due to rising cost of materials.
He said: “In the course of today’s Exco meeting, what happened today is a clear demonstration of what Governor Oborevwori said when he assumed office that he will initiate new projects and continue with the construction of ongoing ones, with a view to ensuring we achieve completion of those projects.
“You will also recall that, for sometime now, we have not held Exco because we needed to come to terms with certain levels of pricing of items, so that, at the end of the day, we give value- for- money to Deltans.
“We needed to reach certain compromise with our partners in the contracting industry and that we have been able to achieve reasonably.
“So, today, we effected the upward review of a number projects which are aimed at linking our communities as well bringing about urban renewal.
“We have approved the upward review for the 6-lane Asaba Water Front road construction which will enable access for the expansion of the capital city.
“It is part of Governor Oborevwori’s desire to expand the capital territory and bring about urban renewal of our capital city here in Asaba.
“In the Sapele axis, we also believe that the city, as an ancient town, begins to have a new lease of life; so, we have approved a couple of internal roads in Sapele to help us decongest and add beauty to the city.
“My colleague has been busy with the supervision of some other roads in the Ughelli axis, and, by the grace of God, some of them would be completed soon and ready for inauguration in our one year in office.
“We also approved the upward review for the 4.4km Obi-Ibabu Road to enable us complete it in the next couple of weeks and get it inaugurated.
“The Emevor-Orogun road is almost completed; it was delayed a little because of the upward review and, in the next couple of days, it will be ready for inauguration.
“The Kwale-Beneku bridge linking Ndokwa West to Ndokwa East has also been reviewed to enable the contractor conclude work on both the approach road to the bridge and asphalt overlay on the bridge.
“We also reviewed the Orere Bridge and acesss Road in Ughelli South and the governor is desirous to fastracking a number of these ongoing roads, in addition to completing the ones we have awarded under his watch since May, 2023”.
He said that, in order to avoid the issue of continuous review of projects, the Governor has approved that, going forward, a number of the projects would have reasonable mobilisation so that the contractor would not need to delay.
Aniagwu added that, once a contractor provides an Advance Payment Guarantee, APG, they would be advanced funds to enable them mobilise to site, adding that once jobs are done to specifications, such certificates would be paid immediately.
Also, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Johnbull Tonukari, said Exco approved the payment of N1.33bn as retirement and death benefits to 186 retirees of the state‘s premier university, Delta State University, Abraka.
He said the welfare of workers and pensioners was very dear to Governor Oborevwori, adding that the beneficiaries would be paid after carrying out forensic audit on the affected persons.
