Delta Reaffirms Infrastructure Standards Following Public Complaints
KWALE/Nigeria: The Delta State Government has reiterated its commitment to delivering quality projects, affirming that the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori-led administration maintains a zero-tolerance stance on substandard project delivery.
This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, during an impromptu inspection of the Beneku bridge and access road in Ndokwa East Local Government Area on Sunday.
Speaking after the inspection, Izeze revealed that his visit was prompted by a complaint raised on social media, in line with the administration’s responsiveness to citizens’ concerns. He emphasised that the Oborevwori government is keen on addressing genuine issues, ensuring that all projects meet the highest standards.
Accompanied by the Ministry’s Functioning Permanent Secretary, Mrs Juliet Aboloje, and other top officials, Izeze stated that no further certificates would be issued to the contractor until all identified defects were corrected.
“I would like to commend the concerned citizen who exercised their civic duty by using social media to highlight these issues. This tool is vital for governance and we appreciate when citizens engage constructively,” Izeze said.
He continued: “At 3 a.m. this morning, I was notified by a colleague about the complaint, and I immediately contacted my Permanent Secretary and Zonal Engineer to inspect the site ourselves. Upon reviewing the bridge, we identified anomalies in the expansion joints. The Zonal Engineer confirmed that the contractor had previously been instructed to return to the site to rectify these issues.”
Izeze further highlighted problems with the kerbs along the access road, which were falling off the embankment. He assured that these would be addressed promptly to prevent potential hazards to road users.
“The contractor will be required to return to site and correct these defects. The Oborevwori administration is committed to ensuring that every project is completed to specification, guaranteeing the safety of residents and visitors alike. We owe it to the people to deliver value for every kobo spent,” Izeze added.
The Youth President of Beneku Community, Okechukwu Otuya, and Secretary, Izu Louis, praised the Commissioner for his swift response. They also called on the state government to ensure that the contractor rectifies the issues as quickly as possible.
