ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Commissioner for Works, Chief James Augoye, has called on motorists and residents of Asaba, Okpanam and environs to show more understanding with the state government on the recurring flood during heavy rainfall.
Chief Augoye said the functionality of the drains were in good order as the flood usually receded after the rainfall, saying that if at present the flood could be drained 30 minutes after the rains, the situation would improve when the roads and drains were eventually completed.
The commissioner made the call today at a special press briefing held at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Information, Asaba to address the flood challenge being faced by residents of the state as a result of the heavy rainfall in recent time.
The works commissioner observed that the flood situation was not peculiar to Delta State and was even most devastating elsewhere across the country and the world but gave an assurance that the state government would leave to stone unturned to provide a lasting solution to the problem.
Explaining further, Chief Augoye stated that the implication of the rains in the past two days was that the ongoing construction works would be affected, mentioning specifically that of Okpanam Road, where he said the flood pulled off parts of the tarred roads with gaps bordering the sandy portion.
According to the commissioner who was accompanied by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Patrick Ukah, represented by the Functioning Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Paul Osahor, such cases were not unusual particularly when the final overlay had not been placed on the tarred portions to make the asphalt work bind properly.
He said that the contractor, Tratrix Construction was on ground to remedy every defect caused by the rains, assuring that he had been following up on the job because of the seriousness attached to it.
Giving a brief on the history of the contract, the works commissioner said that the 6.25 kilometre Okpanam road and drain project was awarded on 25th September, 2013, saying as at the time the present administration came in, the drains were not properly connected.
The commissioner also noted that the road aspect did not indicate whether it was going to be single lane or dual carriage, adding that Tratrix took over from the former handler, Modis Construction, to carry out corrective measure, emphasizing that the state government was keen on seeing the job done to specification and completed.
Present at the briefing were the Director General of Asaba Capital Territory Development Agency, Chief Clement Ofuani and representatives from the major contractors handling road and drain projects in Asaba, Okpanam
