IKPIDE-IRRI/Nigeria: Indigenes of Ikpide-Irri, a riverine community in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, under the banner of ‘Concerned Indigenes of Ikpide-Irri,’ have formally petitioned the marine services firm, Portplus Limited, over allegations of substandard work on the community’s N1.5 billion road project.
In 2018, then-Governor Ifeanyi Okowa awarded the contract to Portplus Limited, a firm owned by his ally, Michael Omojefe, the former president general of the community and elder brother of the contractor, reportedly described the contract as a ‘kola-nut’ gift from the governor to his younger brother.
During an inspection, former Commissioner for Works and current member of the Delta State House of Assembly, James Aguoye, criticized the project, declaring it “substandard” and accusing the contractor of compromising on materials. Aguoye commended the community for their vigilance, stating, “Their actions show a sense of ownership and a desire for the best in their domain.”
Community members described the contractor as “incompetent” and criticized former Commissioner for Rural and Riverine Roads, Solomon Golley, for supporting the firm despite witnessing the substandard work. Protests and condemnations from local indigenes, human rights groups, and the Isoko Monitoring Group (IMG) followed, but Okowa did not respond to their complaints.
A deputy director in the Ministry of Works disclosed that Portplus Limited was reported to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) over the substandard project. “Despite the project’s poor execution, payments were made because the contractor is an ally of the former governor. The ICPC investigation lasted nearly two years,” the official revealed, adding that the current status of the investigation is unknown.
The deputy director further noted, “The Ikpide-irri project is one of the worst ever executed in the state. Sections of the road are already failing. The contractor is pressuring the state government to commission the project as part of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s one-year anniversary, but the government has refused due to the project’s substandard quality.”
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has insisted on high standards for all projects and has warned contractors against substandard work. “The Ikpide-irri road will not be commissioned because it does not meet contractual specifications,” the official stated.
Attempts by the contractor to include the project in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) budget have also failed. A senior NDDC staff member confirmed that the commission rejected the inclusion, stating, “We will not be involved in such backyard business.”
A senior member of Portplus Limited confirmed the firm’s request to the state government to commission the road project, which was turned down. “Please don’t quote me, but it’s true. The firm wrote to the Delta state government, but the request was rejected due to poor execution,” the official said.
