Delta State Government has terminated the contract for the rehabilitation of Warri Township Stadium due to non-performance.
The State Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, disclosed this to journalists during a press briefing at the end of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
The State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban), Comrade Reuben Izeze while explaining reasons why the contract was terminated, said the state government was not satisfied with the pace of work, adding that the contractor if allowed, would not be able to deliver the job which was originally billed for completion in 24 months.
According to him, “as you are aware, Governor Oborevwori, in the course of his inaugural address, promised Deltans that the MORE Agenda was going to be his working document.
“He stated clearly that Asaba will continue to receive its pride of place as our state capital and Warri will also receive a face-lift.
“Consequent upon that commitment that he made to Deltans, today, Exco approved the termination of the existing contract for the rehabilitation of the Warri Township Stadium.
“Exco, in its wisdom, under the guidance of the Governor, has discovered that the contracting firm handling the project does not have the technical knowhow to deliver that project on time.
“Therefore, that existing contract has been terminated as of today. In due course, you will be informed of the contractor that will be handling a modern Warri Stadium that will be befitting of the ancient oil city.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr. Charles Aniagwu, said Exco also approved upward review of a number of projects due to rising cost of materials.
He said: “In the course of today’s Exco meeting, what happened today is a clear demonstration of what Governor Oborevwori said when he assumed office that he will initiate new projects and continue with the construction of ongoing ones, with a view to ensuring we achieve completion of those projects.
“You will also recall that, for some time now, we have not held Exco because we needed to come to terms with certain levels of pricing of items, so that, at the end of the day, we give value- for- money to Deltans.
“We needed to reach a certain compromise with our partners in the contracting industry and that we have been able to achieve reasonably.
“So, today, we effected the upward review of a number projects which are aimed at linking our communities as well as bringing about urban renewal.
“We have approved the upward review for the 6-lane Asaba Water Front road construction which will enable access for the expansion of the capital city.
“It is part of Governor Oborevwori’s desire to expand the capital territory and bring about urban renewal of our capital city here in Asaba.
“In the Sapele axis, we also believe that the city, as an ancient town, begins to have a new lease of life; so, we have approved a couple of internal roads in Sapele to help us decongest and add beauty to the city.
“My colleague has been busy with the supervision of some other roads in the Ughelli axis, and, by the grace of God, some of them will be completed soon and ready for inauguration in our one year in office.
“We also approved the upward review for the 4.4km Obi-Ibabu Road to enable us complete it in the next couple of weeks and get it inaugurated.
“The Emevor-Orogun road is almost completed; it was delayed a little because of the upward review and, in the next couple of days, it will be ready for inauguration.
“The Kwale-Beneku bridge linking Ndokwa West to Ndokwa East has also been reviewed to enable the contractor to conclude work on both the approach road to the bridge and asphalt overlay on the bridge.
“We also reviewed the Orere Bridge and access Road in Ughelli South and the governor is desirous of fast tracking a number of these ongoing roads, in addition to completing the ones we have awarded under his watch since May, 2023.”
He said that in order to avoid the issue of continuous review of projects, the Governor has approved that, going forward, a number of the projects would have reasonable mobilisation so that the contractor would not need to delay.
Aniagwu added that, once a contractor provides an Advance Payment Guarantee, APG, they would be advanced funds to enable them mobilise to site, adding that once jobs are done to specifications, such certificates would be paid immediately.
On his part, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Johnbull Tonukari, said Exco approved the payment of N1.33bn as retirement and death benefits to 186 retirees of the State‘s premier university, Delta State University, Abraka.
He said the welfare of workers and pensioners was very dear to Governor Oborevwori, adding that the beneficiaries would be paid after carrying out a forensic audit on the affected persons.
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N0. DTS 0922: PRIMARY EDUCATION MINISTRY TO SUPPORT PRY HEALTH CARE AGENCY IN HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VACCINATION EXERCISE SAYS ASHIBOGWU
By Magnus Emuji
Delta State Commissioner for Primary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu has assured the State Primary Health Care Development Agency of the Ministry’s support at all times, especially in the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination exercise that would commence on Monday, May 27, 2024, for the overall benefit of the state.
Dr. Ashibogwu gave the assurance in Asaba when the officials of the National Primary Health Care Agency, World Health Organization and Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency paid him an advocacy visit.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Augustine Oghoro, the Commissioner described their initiative to flag off the vaccination on Children’s Day as apt.
Dr. Ashibogwu encouraged parents to allow their girl child within ages 9 to 14 years, to take the vaccine so as to avoid the challenges associated with cervical cancer in line with the guidelines of the health officials.
He said that as part of their collaboration, the Ministry would sensitize its officers in the local government areas to inform parents to get their children ready for the exercise.
Dr. Ashibogwu also told the delegation that the Ministry would give them access to schools to carry out the vaccination activity, stressing that the Ministry would ask its field officers to cooperate with the officials of the Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency.
Earlier, the Executive Director of the Agency, Dr. Paul Yinkore, said that the purpose of the advocacy visit was to intimate him of the flag off of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine scheduled to hold on Monday, May 27, 2024.
Dr. Yinkore noted that the collaboration between the Primary Health Care Development Agency, Ministry of Health and the line Ministries had continued to produce results, adding that there was a need to always work together and achieve a common purpose.
Photo: The Permanent Secretary, Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Augustine Oghoro receiving a document on behalf of the Commissioner for Primary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu during an advocacy visit by the officials of National Primary Health Care, World Health Organization and Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency during an advocacy visit to the Commissioner.
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