Delta State Directorate of Project Monitoring and Audit says it will meet with the contractor handling the Udu Harbour Market project, consultant and awarding Ministry, Trade and Investment, to streamline ways to ensure the completion of the project in line with the April 2025 deadline given by the State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori.
The Special Adviser for the Directorate, Dr Goodnews Agbi who disclosed this during the inspection of some ongoing projects across the state said the Directorate would also meet with the contractor for the Ododegho Road Phase One project and the consultant to ascertain the delay in delivering the job despite collecting over 70 percent of the total sum of the project awarded in 2023.
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori on Monday, April 8, 2024, after inspecting ongoing works on the Udu Harbour Market in Udu Local Government Area, gave assurance that the multi-billion naira project would be ready for inauguration in April 2025 noting that the project had been delayed too long.
Briefing the Special Adviser for the State Directorate of Project Monitoring and Audit, Dr Goodnews Agbi and his team on arrival, the Principal Contractor for the Udu Harbour Market project, Sir Innocent Ayuba said the contracting firm remains committed to meeting the completion deadline set by the state governor.
Sir Ayuba explained that work is being stalled because the consultant for the project has not come up with the review that will provide proper guidance to continue construction.
He disclosed that since the company resumed work in December 2023 it has not collected any Certificate to avoid being short-paid following the skyrocketing of construction materials.
Dr Agbi and the team of engineers of the Directorate agreed with the contractor on the need to wait for the review by the project consultant adding that the Oborevwori administration remains committed to delivering the project to accelerate commerce in Udu and beyond.
On the construction of the Ododegho Road Phase One from Ekiugbo junction off Ughelli-Patani Expressway to the community in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Dr Agbi decried the poor performance of the contractor, Zims Global Impex, who he said has collected over 70 percent of the approved money the project but without commensurate work on the ground.
He said the Directorate of Project Monitoring and Audit will invite the contractor, consultant and awarding Ministry to chart a way forward.
Some youths of Ododegho community commended the monitoring team for coming to assess the project and appealed to the state government to ensure the proper execution of the project.
The Delta State Directorate of Project Monitoring and Audit continues its inspection of all ongoing projects in the state to ensure they meet the approved specifications in line with the MORE agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori-led PDP government.
