ASABA/Nigeria: The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Delta State, say it has embarked on the evaluation and monitoring of recent and ongoing road projects by the state government across the twenty five local government areas of the state.
The group made the declaration in Asaba, the state capital, where they issued an ultimatum to contractors handling road projects in the state to desist from substandard job execution.
In a press briefing in Asaba recently, the organization also urge the federal and state governments to inform the public of project execution processes, in line with the principles of good governance.
Mr. Okezie Odughala stated the initiative was geared towards scrutinizing projects by ministries departments and agencies under the current dispensation, with a view to name and shame defaulting contractors in the state.
Mr. Odughala noted the first phase of the scheme was focused on activities of the State Ministry of Works, particular in the area of road construction.
“To those whose trademark is shoddy and substandard execution of projects, never have a space in our public hall of shame.”
Reacting to the development an activist for gender empowerment in agriculture Dr. Eris Jewo-Ibi, and a Chief from Ndokwa, Greg Osaemenjor, expressed support for the monitoring exercise, saying they want to know, which roads have been awarded, that will lead our farmers to their farms comfortably.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Government on Civil Society Mr. Rex Anighoro, said the state government prides itself on its transparent operations and was fully in support of the monitoring initiative.
“I don’t think there’s any other government that has opened itself up for this. And so, we are calling on all citizens who know there’s a road that is not working let the Civil Societies get to know about this.”
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the CSO Monitoring Team Mr. Harrison Agboro, explained that findings from the inspection visits would be filed and submitted to appropriate authorities for immediate action.
Highlight of projects earmarked for scrutiny include ongoing Asaba-Ughelli road, the multi-billion naira Kwale-Beneku Bridge amongst others.
