The Delta State Government has said it will leave legacy projects that will stand the test of time and not projects that will collapse after one or two rainy seasons.
Mr Reuben Izeze, Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), said this Monday in Uvwie following a viral video that 10mm instead of 16mm rods were being used in the building of flyover at PTI Junction, Effurun.
Izeze said that Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori had zero tolerance for shabby jobs and sharp practices in projects delivery.
He told journalists during an unscheduled inspection of the ongoing flyover that the governor would never encourage anything less than a project’s specifications.
“The reason we are here is to address a malicious claim that the rods being used for the project are 10 millimeters in diameter, which is simply untrue.
“This project has been designed by some of the best engineers in the country and is being supervised by top professionals within the Ministry of Works.
“The governor is known for his consistent commitment to quality. He supervised the construction of the Osubi Airstrip by Julius Berger over 20 years ago and has visited this site more times than I can count,” he said.
Izeze said due to the governor’s pursuit of quality projects, he had mandated that project certification process would now involve dual oversight.
”After the Ministry of Works certifies a project, the Special Project Unit will also conduct its own certification. This illustrates his deep concern for the quality of his projects.
“The governor aims is to leave a legacy of durable projects, not roads that will wash away after one or two rainy seasons.
“To further reinforce our position that this project will stand the test of time, every piece of steel used has been imported, which accounts for the difference in cost compared to local contractors.
“The misinformation being spread is completely unfounded despite our repeated explanations,” Izeze said.
Mr Thomas Haug, the Project Manager of Julius Berger, affirmed that the rods being used were 16mm, contrary to the speculation that they were 10mm.
He said that all the rods were imported and not locally produced in Nigeria.
“We are working according to specifications, and we are confident that the project will stand the test of time,” Haug said.