Delta Govt Warns Contractor Over Slow Pace of Orere Bridge, Road Projects
The Delta State Government has warned that it may take action against the contractor handling the Orere River Bridge and Edjekota–Ewu–Orere Road projects in Ughelli South Local Government Area over what it described as an unsatisfactory pace of work.
The Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, gave the warning on Friday during an inspection of the projects, accompanied by engineers from the ministry.
Izeze expressed displeasure with the level of activity at the sites, accusing the contractor of failing to demonstrate the commitment required to deliver the projects within the expected timelines.
He said the contractor could no longer hide behind the rainy season to justify the slow progress, insisting that the situation observed during the inspection was far from acceptable.
“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 noted that the Oborevwori administration had consistently supported indigenous contractors to enable them to contribute meaningfully to the state’s infrastructure development.
He, however, stressed that government support must be matched with commitment, diligence and timely delivery, warning that no contractor would be allowed to take such assistance for granted.
Izeze also accused the contractor of only putting up appearances whenever officials of the Ministry of Works visited the project sites, rather than maintaining consistent construction activities.
According to him, the government was no longer prepared to accept a situation where contractors mobilised workers and equipment merely to impress inspection teams.
“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,” he said.
The commissioner directed the contractor’s representative to convey the government’s displeasure to the company’s management, warning that another unsatisfactory inspection could trigger 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 warned.
He said the projects had already exceeded the period within which they ought to have made significant progress, adding that the government would not continue to tolerate delays at the expense of residents who urgently need the infrastructure.
The Orere River Bridge project, which includes access roads and a spur in Orere Town, was awarded to the contractor on January 27, 2021, at an initial cost of N9.85 billion. The contract sum was subsequently reviewed to N32.45 billion.
The same 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 government has now made it clear that the contractor must improve its performance or risk facing consequences, as it seeks to ensure that the people of Orere and Ewu communities get the infrastructure for which public funds have been committed.
