…….Izeze Faults Slow Progress, Rejects Rainy Season Excuse
The Delta State Government has threatened sanctions against the contractor handling the Orere River Bridge and Edjekota–Ewu–Orere Road projects in Ughelli South Local Government Area over unsatisfactory progress, warning that continued delays will no longer be tolerated.
The Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, gave the warning on Friday during an inspection of the projects, expressing displeasure with the contractor’s pace of work and what he described as a lack of commitment to timely delivery.
Izeze accused the contractor of failing to sustain construction activities, alleging that work appeared to intensify only when officials of the Ministry of Works visited the sites for inspection.
He dismissed the rainy season as a further justification for the slow pace of work, insisting that the level of activity observed during the visit fell short of the state government’s expectations.
“As far as I am concerned, the contractor is not on site, and I must express my strong displeasure with its attitude and pace of work.
“When the rain was falling heavily, that was the excuse. But today, the rain can no longer be an excuse because I am not satisfied with what I am seeing.
“It seems this contractor is taking advantage of its relationship with the state government, and that is unacceptable to us,” he said.
The commissioner said the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had provided substantial support to indigenous contractors to enable them to contribute to the state’s infrastructure development, but stressed that such support must be matched by diligence, accountability and measurable results.
He condemned what he described as “window dressing” at the project sites, warning that the government would no longer accept a situation in which contractors allegedly made superficial efforts to impress inspection teams without maintaining consistent progress.
“This contractor is one of those that have received the full backing of this administration in a bid to encourage indigenous contractors. He has received every form of encouragement.
“We have come here after the rain to see this kind of window dressing to make it appear as though they have been busy. For me, it is unacceptable.
“We have gone beyond the stage of window dressing and trying to be on site only whenever the contractor hears that ministry officials are coming for inspection,” Izeze said.
He directed the contractor’s representative to communicate the government’s dissatisfaction to the company’s management, warning that another inspection that revealed no significant improvement would prompt a recommendation for appropriate sanctions.
“I want the representative of the contractor to pass this message to their principal that if we come here next time and witness this type of situation, we will have no option but to make the appropriate recommendation to our boss in Asaba,” he said.
Izeze said the government was concerned about the delays, particularly as the projects were expected to improve transportation, connectivity and economic activities in the affected communities.
The Orere River Bridge project, which includes access roads and a spur in Orere Town, was awarded on January 27, 2021, at an initial cost of N9.85 billion. The contract sum was subsequently reviewed to N32.45 billion.
The contractor is also handling the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of the Edjekota–Ewu–Orere Road, awarded on September 3, 2026, at a cost of N6.92 billion.
The road project was formally mobilised on September 10, 2026, with a scheduled completion date of March 10, 2028.
The state government maintained that contractors entrusted with public infrastructure projects must demonstrate satisfactory performance, warning that continued delays could attract consequences as the administration seeks to ensure value for public expenditure and timely delivery of the projects.
