IRRI/Nigeria: Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Monday expressed strong dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work at the Technical College, Irri, in Isoko South Local Government Area, describing the prolonged delay in completing the project as unacceptable and a disservice to the people of Delta State.
The governor, who made an unscheduled inspection visit to the project site, decried the fact that the contract, awarded in 2019, remained unfinished seven years later despite the strategic importance of the institution to technical and vocational education in the state.
Oborevwori was received at the project by the Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Council, Hon. Warri Ovoke Friday; the Odio-Ologbo of Irri Kingdom, HRM Simon Wajutome Odhomo, Igbogidi I; and former President-General of the Isoko Development Union (IDU), High Chief Iduh Amadhe.
After conducting a comprehensive inspection of the facility, the governor faulted the contractor for what he described as poor commitment to the project and said the level of work on the ground did not justify assurances that the college would be completed by August.
Speaking with journalists after the inspection, Oborevwori said the physical state of the project contradicted reports he had earlier received, insisting that several critical components of the work had yet to commence.
“I spoke with the commissioner and he told me he had reached out to the contractor, who said the project would be completed by August. But from what I have seen here, I am not sure that timeline is realistic.
“The workshop has not even started. The landscaping will also take some time, and some sections of the roofing are still incomplete. What you see in front is different from what is behind the buildings, so I decided to inspect the entire project,” the governor said.
Expressing disappointment over the prolonged delay, Oborevwori said it was unacceptable that a project initiated seven years ago had yet to reach completion, especially when the state government had demonstrated its commitment to expanding access to quality technical education.
“I am not satisfied with what I have seen. The project was awarded in 2019, and it is a shame that after seven years it is still not completed. The question is, what is holding the contractor back?
“If people are serious about a project, you will see them actively working on site. That was not the case here. I did not even find the contractor or workers on site. I am not satisfied with the work,” he stated.
The governor announced that both the contractor and the project consultant would be summoned to explain the reasons behind the prolonged delay, blaming the situation largely on inadequate supervision and poor project monitoring.
He noted that the slow pace of work had disrupted the government’s plan to commence academic activities at the institution by September this year.
“I will invite the contractor and the consultant because the consultant is not doing enough. The consultant is supposed to keep the client informed about the progress of work and ensure proper supervision. From what I have seen, the supervision is very poor and I am not satisfied,” Oborevwori said.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to enforce strict compliance with project timelines and quality standards, warning that contractors handling public projects would be held accountable for unnecessary delays and substandard performance.
He stressed that under his administration’s M.O.R.E. Agenda, government would no longer tolerate abandoned or poorly executed projects, insisting that every contractor engaged by the state must deliver value for public funds and complete projects within agreed timelines.
Oborevwori’s inspection forms part of his administration’s intensified project monitoring initiative aimed at ensuring that ongoing infrastructural projects across Delta State are delivered to specification and are completed in line with contractual obligations for the benefit of residents.
