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The Delta State Government has charged Setraco, the contractor handling the Big Warri road project and bridges to increase the pace of work to ensure that the project is delivered on time as agreed with the contractor.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the State Commissioner for Works, Chief James Augoye gave the charge on Wednesday in the company of the Special Director of the project, Chief Otimeyin Adams during an inspection tour of the multi-billion naira road that will link Ubeji in Warri South Local Government Area to Ode-Itsekiri when completed.
Augoye commended the contractor for the level of work done so far, stressing the quality of work done so far was very high. He said the project is about 25.8 kilometers long with 19 bridges and about 4 spurs leading to other communities.
He said the State Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa was doing everything possible to ensure that he finances the project to conclusion, while acknowledging the challenges being faced in terms of financing of the project.
“This is one of the projects inherited by this administration. This project was actually awarded on the 22nd of August 2006, but the contractor was mobilized to site on the 10th of September 2007.
“As you can see, the work is a very long one, about 25.8 kilometers with 19 bridges. Of course, there are other spurs, about 4 spurs leading to other communities. At the moment this administration decided that we should concentrate on the main alignment, i.e. the Ubeji down to Ode Itsekiri.
“Like the contractor said, they have done about 14 bridges; they have 5 more. Once those ones are completed, they will now continue with the road work and get it finished to Ode Itsekiri.
“The quality of work here is very high. I must commend them for their efforts. I want to appeal to them to increase the pace of work to ensure that this work is completed by the end of next year, as earlier agreed with the contractor.
“Of course, I know also they have challenges in terms of financing of the project. We are all aware of the State of our country’s economy, and it is also biting hard on Delta State. His Excellency, the Governor is doing everything possible to ensure that he finance this project to conclusion.
Speaking on the importance of the road to the State, Augoye said, “As you can see, the road has not been completed, yet it has opened up the other side of the river to much economic activities. Before now the private depots were not there, but as soon as we completed the first 5 kilometers up to the river jetty, you can see that they have taken over the whole of that place.
“If this side of the river is completed, it means that more industries would be opened in this side of the river. And of course, it would create economic activities and employment for our people around this area.
Meanwhile, Area Manager of Setraco, Delta Region, Mr Joseph Helby contractor assured that his company was determined to complete the project by the end of 2021.
“If all the parameters in the country go well, we supposed to finish this work by the end of 2021. The main alignment has 19 bridges. 14 are fully completed, remaining only 5 bridges. As we are moving gradually, the entire road will be motorable up to Ode Itsekiri,” Helby said.
On his part, Chief Adams, who also spoke on the importance of the road to the people, said, “If you are coming from Ubeji, you will see that the road has opened up the rural areas. If you were here in 2006, you will know what I am talking about. The Ifie, Ajaetan, the spurs on this side of the river have been upgraded and there is life.
“There are six tank farms in this area, which have provided employment for our youths and the social life of the people in this area has improved. 10 communities would be affected by this road. Already we have accessed 5 communities, remaining 5. We have Ubeji, we have Ifie, we have Ajaetan, we have Ijala, we have Igbodede, we have Ajegba, we have Usele, we have Uronyin, we have Orugbo and we have Ode Itsekiri.
“This road would have long been completed if not for finances. And since he [Okowa] came on board, he has done within his best to reduce the debt profile of about N9 billion to N3 billion. And you can see the contractor, if not for COVID-19 and the economic setback, you be surprised to see the level of work. Like the Commissioner said, by 2021, all things being equal, if there is adequate funding, which we are appealing to the Governor for, we will get to Ode Itsekiri”.