Warri Stadium Rehabilitation Project: Delta Govt Announces Contract Termination, Gives Reasons

Delta state Government has announced its decision to terminate the contract for the Warri Township Stadium rehabilitation project, citing non-performance. 

A statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com noted that the state Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, disclosed this  during the  press briefing held in Asaba after the State Executive Council meeting that was 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 to continue with the project, will not deliver the job which was originally billed for completion in 24 months. 

‘As you are aware, Governor Oborevwori, in the course of his inaugural address, promised Deltans that the MORE Agenda would 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’. 

 Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr Charles Aniagwu, also said the  Exco has 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 meeting because we needed to come to terms with certain levels of pricing of items, so that, at the end of the day, we will give value- for- money to Deltans. 

We needed to reach 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 bringing about urban renewal. 

We have approved  upward review of the 6-lane Asaba Water Front road construction  project 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 would be completed soon and ready for inauguration in our one year in office. 

We also approved the upward review of the 4.4km Obi-Ibabu Road project to enable us complete it in the next couple of weeks and get it inaugurated. 

The Emevor-Orogun road project 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 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 to fast-tracking a number of these ongoing roads, in addition to completing the ones we have awarded on his watch since May, 2023’. 

He added that, in order to avoid the issue of continued review of projects, the governor has approved that, going forward, a number of the projects would have reasonable mobilization so that the contractor would not need to delay. 

Aniagwu added that, once a contractor provides an Advance Payment Guarantee, APG, they would be given  funds to enable them mobilize to site, adding that once jobs are done to specifications, such certificates would be paid immediately. 

 Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Johnbull Tonukari, said  the Exco approved the payment of N1.33bn as retirement and death benefits to 186 retirees of the state premier university, the Delta state University, Abraka. 

He added that the welfare of workers and pensioners is very dear to Governor Oborevwori noting that the beneficiaries would be paid after carrying out forensic audit on the affected persons–Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you