…Meets Contractors, Area Coordinators
By Francis Sadhere
The Commissioner representing Ughelli South, Udu, Uvwie, and Urhobos of Warri South in the board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development commission (DESOPADEC), Chief Amos Itihwe has made it clear that the era of embarking on white elephant projects were gone in the Commission.
On inspection of projects in his mandate areas with his team, the Commissioner said no more room for white elephant projects in the Commission.
Our Correspondent reports that he inspected and verified some DESOPADEC projects in Ughelli South, Udu and Uvwie.
Among the ongoing projects inspected were: the construction of Aruorho Market link road at Otughevwen in Ughelli South handled by AMRUKO COMPANY LTD, the construction of Dispensary road Otu-Jeremi, Ughelli South handled by KAMRERE NIG LTD, the construction of Oghenegueke Lane Orhonrhon quarters, Otughevwen, Ughelli South handled by TECHNICOM INT’L CO.NIG.
Others, the construction of Urhorho quater road, Otu-Jeremi, Ughelli South, the construction of six class room blocks, Baptist Secondary School, Umolo, Ughelli South handled by SIBERI ENT.LTD, resurfacing of Ukpiyovwin / Oghoir road , Udu LGA handled by RIC LEO NIG. LTD, rehabilitation of Ubogo /Ogboudu road, Udu LGA, the construction of Edeyan Street/ Peace close, Effurun, Uvwie LGA handled by AMEED MICHELLETI LTD and supply/installation of 300KVA transformer, Ubromo, Uvwie LGA handled by MUDADO NIG. LTD.
Chief Itihwe who expressed satisfaction with some of the projects, however frowned at the poor level and slow pace of job carried out in some of the projects by the contractors.
He said: “this administration will ensure the completion of all the projects as there will no longer be room for white elephant projects.
In a similar development, the DESOPADEC Commissioner has also met with the area coordinators and contractors in his mandate area.
Speaking during the meeting, Chief Itihwe while emphasizing that “this is a new DESOPADEC, added that the era of projects abandonment and elephant projects are over, stressing that he will not be influenced by any physical human or a spiritual power.
The Commissioner also stated that he will not commit himself to over quoting or making excessive budgeting for a project.
He called on all contractors to be faithful in doing any contract that is awarded to them noting that he would not tolerate a situation whereby contractors will connive with engineers to execute shoddy jobs.
He pleaded with the contractors to avoid insincerity as he will not be involved in any issue that will question his integrity.
He made the contractors to understand that his doors are open to their complains and that they should not be involved in short cuts for the completion of projects.
He promised to look into the issue of stalled projects considering the relevance of such projects to the immediate environment and to ensure that such projects are completed with all necessary payment made to the contractor involve.
Chief Itihwe stated that the purpose of the meeting was to make known to the contractors and DESOPADEC Area Coordinators that the Commission now has a Zonal Office for complains and other matters.
He stated that the meeting was also to familiarize with the people in his mandate areas and to ensure that projects are done according to specifications and that the allocated funds to the mandate areas are evenly distributed.
While recalling on his inspection tour of 21st, November 2015, the commissioner informed the contractors that they would soon be paid, stating that there is going to be a general meeting between all DESOPADEC contractors and the board of DESOPADEC on Thursday 26th November 2015.
He also told the contractors and Area Coordinators that the era of executing project at an area where there is a coordinator is over, saying that both the commissioner and the area coordinators will be actively involved in project supervision.
The commissioner assured all contractors of prompt payment as soon as new jobs are awarded while he will also make budgetary provision for ongoing contracts.
Chief Itihwe emphasized that, the interactive session is going to be regular, adding that any issue that will benefit and promote the state governments agenda will be looked into.
Responding, one of the contractors, Mr. Terry Ideh commended the commissioner for convening the meeting saying that it was first of its kind.
