Delta orders contractors to speed up work on Ogidigen road project, pledges continued partnership with federal education agencies

The Delta State Government has urged contractors handling the Obitobon-Elolo-Ajaokurogbo-Orubu road in Ogidighen Phase One, Warri South-West Council Area of Delta State, to speed up the pace of work on the project.

Commissioner for Works, Chief James Augoye, gave the order while inspecting the project, which he said, would engender socio-economic transformation of the area when completed.

Augoye, who was accompanied by the ministry’s field engineers, contracting firm and councillor representing Ogidigben constituency, Raymond Amorighoye-Pirah, Youth President, Jonathan Omatseye and Mrs. Emili Ajekerenbianghan, said, “The Governor Ifenayi Okowa administration is passionate about seeing the project completed and commissioned within the stipulated time.

“I am pleased with the standard of work done so far, but the slow pace of work is not encouraging. There is the need speed up the project, because the whole essence of infrastructure development is to achieve Okowa’s drive for socio-economic development and urban-rural business link for a Stronger Delta,” he stressed.

Augoye, who also commended the contractor for completing the seven box coverts on the road, directed the contractor to immediately effect certain corrections on them.

“The grasses on the sides of the road should be removed before the filling of more sharp sand and the thickness of the slab should be corrected to 150milimetres according to specification as against 100milimetres on ground now,” he added.

Speaking, Director of the construction firm, Emmanuel Natuke and the site Engineer, William Osagie, noted, “The slow pace of work is due to logistics involved in transporting heavy construction equipment and materials to site.

“With that done, we have started casting the slab in some portions of the road.”

They also commended the peaceful disposition of the community and promised to speed up the job, adding, “We are assuring you that the project will be completed within the 80 days, according to standards and specification.”

Meanwhile, the Delta State Government has reiterated its readiness to continue to collaborate with federal education agencies towards ensuring sustainable educational development in the state.

Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Patrick Ukah, stated this in Asaba when officials of the National Commission for Mass Literary, Adult and Non-Formal Education, South-South Zonal Office, Benin City, led by the Zonal Coordinator, Imelda Ebong visited him.

Ukah urged the commission to evolve ways of impacting more on the state through provision of learning aids and materials, as its contribution to the development of adult and non-formal education in the state.

He described adult and non-formal education as critical for the growth of any society, adding that the ministry was already interfacing with the councils to ensure the review of stipends for facilitators.