…Delta Govt Threatens Sanctions Over Poor Performance

By Kparobo Ehvwubare-Asaba

The long-awaited Orere River Bridge and Edjekota–Ewu–Orere Road projects in Ughelli South Local Government Area are facing renewed concerns over timely completion following the Delta State Government’s dissatisfaction with the contractor’s slow pace of work.

The projects are particularly significant to residents of Orere and Ewu communities, who have endured years of infrastructure neglect and the consequences of the prolonged abandonment of the Orere Bridge project.

Despite the state’s substantial financial commitment to revive and deliver the infrastructure, the contractor’s apparent inability to sustain construction activities has raised concerns about further delays and the possibility of missing project delivery expectations.

Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, expressed the government’s displeasure on Friday during an inspection of the project sites alongside engineers from the Ministry of Works.

Izeze accused the contractor of demonstrating a lack of commitment, insisting that the rainy season could no longer serve as an excuse for the unsatisfactory progress recorded at the sites.

“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,” he said.

The commissioner further accused the contractor of taking advantage of its relationship with the state government, despite the administration’s support for indigenous construction companies.

He particularly condemned what he described as window dressing, alleging that the contractor only mobilised workers and equipment whenever officials of the Ministry of Works were expected to visit.

Izeze stressed that the Oborevwori administration would no longer tolerate contractors who create an impression of progress during inspection visits without maintaining consistent construction activities.

He warned that the contractor’s poor performance could attract sanctions if there was no significant improvement before the next inspection.

“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.

The Orere River Bridge project, which includes access roads and a spur in Orere Town, was initially awarded on January 27, 2021, at 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 N6.92 billion.

The road project was formally mobilised on September 10, 2026, with a scheduled completion date of March 10, 2028.

However, the slow pace of construction has raised questions about the contractor’s capacity to deliver the projects within the expected timeframe, particularly given the prolonged history of the Orere Bridge project.

For residents of Orere and Ewu, the projects represent more than government infrastructure investments. Their completion is expected to end years of transportation difficulties, improve access between communities, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and stimulate economic activities.

With billions of naira committed to the projects, residents will be looking beyond government assurances to visible construction progress and eventual delivery.

The latest warning by the Delta State Government signals a tougher approach to contractor supervision, with Izeze making it clear that contractors entrusted with public projects must justify government investment through consistent performance and timely delivery.