Photo: Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads) Comrade Reuben Izeze (middle) Commissioner for Special Projects Barr Funyei Manager (Left) and Site Supervisor CCECC Construction Company Mr Zhou during an on- the- spot assessment visit to the Obo Bridge Project along Ughelli-Asaba Expressway on Wednesday.
Delta State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, Wednesday, said Governor Sherrif Oborevwori was building durable infrastructure for economic stability of the state.
Speaking during an unscheduled inspection visit to the Obo River bridge along Sector C of the Ughelli-Asaba highway, Izeze said he was at the project site for an on-the-spot assessment of the quality of work, being done by the construction company.
“Our visit here today is in line with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s desire to build durable infrastructure for the benefit of the people.
“In line with this mandate, no stone will be left unturned to achieve this, hence our tour of these project sites and as such we will not relent on our responsibilities,” Izeze added.
The team from the ministry later collected a sample of concrete from the batch to carry out a test to ascertain if the concrete is in compliance with the design specification. A process called ‘Concrete Cube Test.’
The project which is 45 percent complete is expected to be completed in 2025.
On hand to receive the Commissioner was Mr. Zhou, the Site Supervisor, who said work was progressing steadily, safely, and that the project would be delivered on schedule, according to specifications.
He expressed surprise at the unscheduled visit, saying they were not notified but was happy that they were not caught off guard and promised they will do their best to ensure they maintain their reputation of delivering quality and durable jobs.
In a related development, the Commissioner for Works, Comrade Reuben Izeze also visited the erosion site at Obinomba community in Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state.
Izeze, who was in company of the member representing Ukwuani State Constituency in the House of Assembly, Hon. Chukwudi Dafe, said he was in the area to see and assess the concerns of the people of Obinomba community and promised to channel his observations and findings to the appropriate authorities.
In an interview with journalists, the people of Obinomba called on the State Government to come to their aid and save them from the fear of imminent total collapse and disappearance of their community to the yearly severe eruption of the tornado-like erosion, ravaging the area.
A community leader and a retired Principal, Mr. Fidelis Osuyali, a retired Principal, said the erosion, which started like a child’s play, had eating deep and wasravaging the community with every rain drop.
He said, the former foot path, through the Dr. OjudoStreet, to the Ethiope River, which has become a huge gully, will soon wash away most of the houses around the area, if the government does not come to their rescue, since all their personal and community efforts to tackle the erosion menace, had failed repeatedly.
He said, most of the indigenes of the community, had made concerted moves to provide relief measures, to put in check the damage brought by the erosion and that it was time they cried out, for fear of being swallowed up by the tornado like erosion, which is ravaging the community.
Mr. Osuyali noted that when their houses were built a few years ago, they could drive their cars effortlessly to their compounds close to the Ethiope River bank, but the story is not the same today.
Also speaking, a Director Administration, Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Pina Obianugba, a native of the community, said if action is not taken urgently, the devastating erosion would cause greater havoc to the peaceful community.
He recalled his growing up days, when they used to walk freely through the bush path to the river for fishing, farming, trading and riverine transportationfrom their community to all the neighboring towns and villages.
Mr. Pina said it was indeed sad and excruciating to see his beloved community being washed away.
He emphasised, that it is baffling to see the river, being filled with sand, from the force of the erosion, which has persistently caused them nightmares.
He said the old Sapele – Agbor Road, which is the only viable route for commerce and trade, should be protected to save lives and property.
Mr. Pina pointed out that dangerous reptiles often come out of the huge gully at the end of the Onojafe street, another worse hit section of the town.
