Delta State Government has released the sum of N30 billion for the payment of outstanding certificates owed to contractors in the state.
According to the State Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr Charles Aniagwu, the gesture would encourage contractors to put in their best and deliver their projects as scheduled.
Speaking shortly after an inspection of ongoing projects at Emevor and Evwreni in Isoko North and Ughelli North local government areas of the state, Aniagwu said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori approved the payment to different contractors, adding, “That’s why you are seeing that a lot of our contractors have moved back to the site.”
“We are already making plans in no distant time to also continuously pay so that contractors can continue to work and our people continue to get value for the jobs that we have awarded for the ease of movement across the different 25 local government areas in Delta.
“We are not having any challenges, and I am sure the contractors are doing quite fine. In areas where they need us to fast-track payment of interim certificates, we have assured them that we will speed up the process so that at the end of the day, nothing stalls the work they are doing,” he said.
He commended the youths of the Emevor community for cooperating with the contractor, stressing that the government would continue to sensitise the people to take ownership of projects executed in their areas.
“It behoves communities to continue to cooperate with the government and contractors that have been engaged by the government to carry out projects in their communities.
“It is important that they own it; you will recall that the last time I went on inspection, I did say that we are going to set up a call centre where the citizens will have the opportunity to interface with us.
“I am happy to announce that they are already interacting with us such that if a contractor is not doing the right thing, they can talk to us, and if anybody is doing anything that will undermine the project in their communities, they can also talk to us,” he stated.
The Commissioner also warned that the burning of tyres along roads is prohibited across the state and urged community leaders to continue sensitising the people to forestall further damage to the roads.
“The interface with communities will continue, and we will continue to sensitise the President Generals of community associations, the youth leaders, and all such enlightened persons in these communities.
“They should impress it on their people for them to continue to exhibit the right attitude not only with respect to government properties but even private properties that are in their domain.
“By doing so, they will have much longer time to enjoy such facilities, and we will be glad if this road stands the test of time up to the next 30 years.
“This means that instead of the community asking us to come and repair the road, they will be asking us to construct another one because whatever money we are going to bring back to repair what was intentionally stolen could have been available for us to give them much more projects.
“Burning of tyres along tarred roads is strictly prohibited because once you do that, either in the name of protest, you will have ended up melting the asphalt in that place, and once that happens, you will begin to have potholes on the road.
“We plead with our people to take care of projects that are sited in their different communities,” Aniagwu added.
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