The Delta State Commissioner for Water Resources Development, Sir Fidelis Tilije, has called on Deltans and residents alike to ensure that government infrastructure dotting the entire landscape in the state are protected from any form of damages or vandalization.
The commissioner made the call in Asaba while reacting to the destruction of the existing ductile iron water pipeline installations by the contractor handling the BRT lane/road expansion project on Effurun/Sapele Road’s corridor.
He said the affected pipeline was constructed mid last year and was part of the on-going construction of the balance tertiary water pipeline of the Warri/Effurun Water Supply project, which has reached a substantial level , noting that the state government was making every effort to get it completed and commissioned.
Tilije added that the water project, when completed, will provide potable water for residents of Warri and its environs, saying the pipeline installations are meant to make water available for residents of the adjourning streets and houses on the Effurun /Sapele road corridor.
Elaborating on the extent of the damage, which he said runs into millions of naira, the commissioner said that between February and April this year, the contractor, Messrs Planet Project Limited, caused serious damage to the ductile iron water pipeline and installed fittings on both sides of the road between Airport and Enerhen junctions.
He revealed that the damages occurred in three different sections along the Warri/Sapele road namely: the front of Edewor Shopping Centre, where the fire hydrant and one length of pipe were forcefully pulled off and another length punctured.
The second, according to him, happened in front of Oghene Shopping Plaza, where one length of pipe was pulled off at the joint/stock while the third location was in front of Nissan/SCOA Motors that had three length of the 100mm diameter ductile iron water pipe badly damaged.
To address the issue of the damaged water installations, He said that a meeting was convened at the instance of the Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, which had the Commissioners of Water Resources Development, Transport and Works; and their officials and that of Justice as well as representatives of the contacting firm responsible for the damages in attendance.
He said that at the meeting, which was held in Asaba, Messrs Planet Project Limited, handling the road expansion project accepted responsibility for the damaged pipelines and promised to effect the repairs.
“It was also agreed at the meeting that a team comprising of representatives of the ministries present in the meeting should visit the sites to have firsthand information and ascertain the level of damages done,” he said.
According to him, the team had embarked on the joint inspection visit and had turned in its report.
