Christopher Odamah, Asaba
The Chairman House Committee on Works, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Evans Ivwurie on Tuesday was furious at Chief Uche Okpuno, owner of ULO Consultants Ltd, the contractor handling Mariam Babangida Way, and the Ughelli/Asaba roads for poor job execution so far.
Ivwurie said the nonchalant attitude of the contractor had caused and subjected Deltans to untold pains and suffering, adding that it has also caused the State Government undue embarrassment.
He however, assured Deltans that the erring contractor will be made to make retribution and refunds to the State Government.
The visible angry law maker who spoke during an assessment, inspection and evaluation tour of projects in the state, said the two projects were very vital to the socio-economic life of Deltans.
While assuring Deltans that the committee will serve as a beacon of hope to the people, Ivwurie added that the State Government will do everything possible to ensure that the right thing was done.
“This contracting company is habitually recalcitrant, and capricious in nature and most importantly they are disobedient and rebellious to rules, regulations of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“What is evident from these two inspections, assessments and evaluation of the construction of Mariam Babangida’s Way, Asaba and Sector C of the Asaba – Ughelli Road construction carried out by the Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Works is that the contractor, ULO Consultants Ltd has become overtly indiscipline and arrogant to our nation constitution after amassing startling wealth from the sweats, taxes and commonwealth of Deltans for works not done, works poorly done and for this strategic projects abandoned by them.
“We are a Committee that believes that our laws and contracting policies can never be taken for granted by any dissident contractor, and this committee has both legal and moral duty and responsibility to get all failed and erring contractors in the State of Delta to make retribution, refund payments for work not done and recompense the State.
“We are a Committee that stands for the rule of law and strength in the law.
“We will prove to all recalcitrant contractors in the State that the rule of law must govern human behavior. And by doing so, our committee will broaden the scope and reach of justice for all Deltans deprived by these dissident contractors the use of these projects for which they have collected monies from the State Government,” Hon. Ivwurie reiterated.
Hon Ivwurie stressed that as a Committee in the House, they hold ourselves out as a beacon and an example of the independence of the institution of Delta State House of Assembly, adding that the State Government and the people depended on them as an independent institution to build and protect the State Government legacy projects and programs.
“That is how we will protect our State. That is how we will protect our constitution against all threats from renegade and rebellious contractors,” Ivwurie stressed further.
Those who accompanied the House Committee Chairman, Hon. Ivwurie include: the Vice Chairman Hon. Engr. Oboro Preyor; Hon. Engr. Emeka Nwaobi; Hon. Barr. Daniel Mayuku; Hon. Olorogun Denis Omovie; Hon. Anthony Elekeokwuri and Hon. Kennedy Daubry.
The Delta State Ministry of Works was ably represented by Engr. Felix Ewenede and Engr. Solomon Aragba while ULO Consultant Ltd was represented by Hon. Gabriel Ukpuno, Engr. Jerome Adeyemi and Mr. Alli Bugawe.
The Special Project Director of Sector C of the Asaba – Ughelli Road construction, Mr. Sunny Onuesoke was also present at the inspection, assessment and evaluation tour.
