… As Government Repudiate Asaba-Oko Road Contract
Delta State government has cautioned Deltans and other residents to observe all precautionary measures geared towards curtailing the spread of the pandemic across the State.
The warning was part of resolutions reached on Tuesday September 14th 2021, during the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting presided over by the State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, in government house, Asaba.
Addressing journalists shortly after the SEC meeting, the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, disclosed that Exco has directed that a massive sensitization of members of the public be carried out again on measures being taken to control the spread of the pandemic.
Hear him, “With the return of the third wave and Delta variant, a number persons have paid the supreme price on account of the attack including members of government.
“The Governor has directed that there was need to continue sensitisation on members of the public to continue adhering to the non-pharmaceuticals of regular hand washing, wearing of face masks and social distancing.
“Government is not considering another lock down in view of the hardship the pandemic has posed to the economy.
“We however, appeal to everybody to be personally responsible in helping to curb the spread of the virus
“Beyond that, government has asked everybody to come out for vaccination because we have made at least 6 points available in every local government and markets across the state.
“We also appeal to religious and opinion leaders to help sensitisze members of the public on the importance of taking the vaccine which is expected to boost the immune system and stop the virus from harming those affected,” Aniagwu added.
Speaking further, the Information Commissioner who was flanked by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS), to the Governor, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, disclosed that SEC approved the repudiation of the multi-million naira contract for the construction of Asaba/Oko-Amakom/Oko-Obiokpu/Oko-Anala Road over poor performance.
The road contract was awarded in 2018, transverses Oko communities in Oshimili South Local Government Area of the state, and has been a major challenge to the state government over the years due to the peculiar topography of the area.
While noting that the contractor was not blacklisted, pointed out that the contract was revoked because the contractor was not working in line with the speed expected by the government after collecting mobilisation funds
He explained that government would check its records and evaluate the contract performance with a view to finding out if the contractor would refund some money to government or not.
He disclosed that the state government would engage another contractor with adequate capacity to complete the job in line with the speed required for the completion of the project.
On the other decisions of the Council, Aniagwu, disclosed that as part efforts to provide potable water and reduce communicable diseases, the state government had approved the construction and reticulation of a major water scheme in Okerenkoko in Warri South Local government Area.
He also added that the council approved the inclusion of certain erosion sites in Warri as part of efforts to address flooding in the twin cities of Warri and Effurun.
“On education, Exco approved the demolition and reconstruction of a two-storey building not in best of shape at West End Grammar School, Asaba.
“The project includes expansion of the building to 20 classrooms to enable the school run one session instead of the morning and afternoon session it was currently operating and the provision of a conference hall for assembly as well as toilets.
“Exco today also approved the renaming of Ogini Grammar School, Oghara to Ogini Model Secondary School, Oghara and the approval of training and acquisition of starter packs in ICT for youths in the state for the Ministry of Science and Technology.
“At today’s Exco, we also discussed the provisions made for the various ministries in the 2022 proposed budget and the possibility of a supplementary budget for 2021,” he stated.
