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The Delta State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the timely delivery of durable and high-quality road infrastructure across the state, warning communities and contractors against the indiscriminate installation of illegal speed breakers on public roads.
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The State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, gave the assurance during an inspection tour of ongoing road rehabilitation and construction projects in Ughelli South and Udu Local Government Areas.

Izeze, who was accompanied by engineers from the Ministry of Works, said while speaking at the
13-km Ekakpamre–Ekrokpe–Usieffurun–Orhuwhorun Road rehabilitation project that the intervention was designed to significantly reduce travel time and improve connectivity for residents, particularly those commuting between Orhuwhorun, Usieffurun and Ekakpamre.

He explained that although the project, awarded in June 2024, had recorded appreciable progress, it was confronted with some challenges, especially drainage issues caused by an existing natural water channel within the corridor.

“This is another important project designed to ease movement and reduce travel time for our people. It is a 13-kilometre rehabilitation, and while work so far is commendable, some challenges still exist. We have taken note of them and will present them to His Excellency in Asaba,” Izeze said.
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According to him, resolving the drainage concerns was critical to ensuring the long-term durability of the road, particularly during the rainy season.

“We need an effective discharge system to properly channel floodwaters. We are hopeful that these issues will be addressed so that the road will stand the test of time. We have also urged the contractor to increase the pace of work to enable asphalt laying before the rains fully set in,” he added.

On the Effurun–Otor/Iwhrekekan–Ughevwughe–Eruemukohwaren–Otor-Edo–Usieffurun Road project in Ughelli South, the commissioner disclosed that about 4.2 kilometres of drainage works had been completed, with the project now awaiting the wearing course and the installation of some concrete slabs.

He expressed concern over the slow pace of work along the Ughevwughe axis but noted that the contractor had since returned to site.

“That project has taken longer than expected, but we are pleased that the contractor is back on site. We are optimistic that the asphalt overlay will be completed within the next couple of months,” Izeze said.

He added that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori would be briefed on the need for approval of additional remedial works to ensure that communities such as Otor-Edo fully benefit from the project.

“We want the people of Otor-Edo to feel the impact of this administration. Our engineers are closely monitoring the work, and the contractor is operating within the provisions of the BEME. We expect the project to be completed in the next two months,” he stated.

The commissioner also issued a strong warning against the unauthorized erection of speed breakers, particularly on newly rehabilitated roads.

He disclosed that the ministry would soon commence a public sensitisation campaign, in collaboration with state-owned media, to educate residents of Orhuwhorun, Usieffurun, Ekrokpe and adjoining communities on the need to obtain official approval before installing speed breakers.
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“Fixing speed breakers on any road requires the approval of the ministry. Anyone who, on their own, installs a speed breaker without authorisation will face consequences,” Izeze warned.

He stressed that illegal speed breakers not only increase travel time unnecessarily but also pose safety risks to road users, adding that any speed breaker installed by a contractor without approval must be removed.

“If a contractor installs speed breakers during construction without the ministry’s permission, it is the contractor’s responsibility to remove them,” he said.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Obakpor Engineering, the construction firm handling the project, Mr. Ricardo Oguma, said the work had been challenging due to the densely built-up nature of the communities and intense human activities along the corridor.

He explained that some speed bumps were installed at busy junctions to moderate traffic flow, noting that the road serves as a major route within the area.

“Our total drainage provision is about 750 metres along the 13-kilometre stretch, which is what was captured in the project, and we have completed it,” Oguma said.

He also commended the host communities for their cooperation, describing the level of support received as “one hundred per cent.”

The inspection, Izeze said, reflected the Oborevwori administration’s resolve to deliver people-centred infrastructure projects while upholding quality standards, safety and value for money across Delta State.

The post Delta Govt restates timely, quality delivery of road projects  appeared first on Spynews Media.

* Warns site engineers against shoddy jobs

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Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Tuesday, said that work on the protracted Trans- Warri road and allied bridges would be completed in two years, just as he drew the red line for site engineers supervising projects for the state government.

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He emphasized that site engineers who compromise along their line of duty would be liable for any shoddy jobs supervised by them.

Governor Oborevwori handed down the warning while inspecting the Trans Warri Road and bridges in Warri South Local Government Area on Tuesday.

He urged the contractor to expedite work on the project and assured of its continuous funding to ensure prompt completion of the project within two years.

“You are aware that when I went to inspect one project last week they said it was completed and I was supposed to inaugurate it last month, but it is my policy that I must see any completed project before I inaugurate it.

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“We went there to inspect the project and there were some issues and this will serve as a warning to all site engineers who compromise.

“Any one who compromises will face the full wrath of the law. There are procedures for certifying jobs and any site engineer who compromises will be disciplined.

“We have assured Deltans that we will not accept sub- standard jobs and we will make sure that jobs are properly done.

“I like visiting projects to see what has been done and what is left; we have come and we have seen the project which has been crawling for the last 17 years.

“I have asked the manager when the project can be completed and he told me 18 months; so, we are very sure that in the next two years this project will be inaugurated.”

On funding, Governor Oborevwori assured the contractor of continuous funding for the speedy completion of the project.

His words: “Funding is not going to be an issue in as much as you are doing your job; we will pay you. Once you have a certificate, we will pay because fund is not going to be a problem.

“This project has been crawling; we don’t want it to crawl again. We want to complete this project in good time and the contractor has promised that in 18 months time it will be completed.

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“I have come to see for myself whether the money we are paying is commensurate to the job being done”, Oborevwori said.

Oborevwori, who was at the Olu of Warri Palace in Ode-Itsekiri, said his visit was not just to inspect the project but to assure the Itsekiri monarch that the project would be completed and inaugurated during his 5th coronation anniversary.

Welcoming Governor Oborevwori earlier, the Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, said the project was awarded by the James Ibori’s administration in 2006 and commenced under Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration and progressed further under the Okowa’s administration.

The Commissioner added that 19 bridges under the main alignment had been completed.

In his remarks, Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, lauded Governor Oborevwori and his predecessors for their consistency in the project execution and expressed appreciation for progress made so far.

He said: “We will continue to encourage the contractors even as the Governor has promised continuous funding for the project. We will all be on their necks to make sure that this project is finally completed.

“We are very proud that we were able to drive through to Ode-Itsekiri. We are blessed to see the manifestation of this project in our time and we look forward to the inauguration of this project during our 5th anniversary.”

In a related development, Governor Oborevwori also inspected the ongoing construction of Omadino Technical College where he summoned the contractors to a meeting to chart the way forward for the quick completion of the project.

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