RATES VARIATION: Delta tasks contractors on speedy projects’ completion

Delta State Government, Tuesday, urged contractors handling various projects for the state to speed up construction works in view of the volatility in the foreign exchange regime.

The State Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr Charles Aniagwu gave the charge during inspection of Jolly Avenue, Onicha-Ugbo in Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state.

He lauded the contractor for the pace of work done and urged other contracting firms in the state to emulate the pace of work done by this contractor to avoid unbridled requests for rate variation.

Aniagwu said requests for rate variation was burdensome to the government and impedes the rate of development adding that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was determined to do more for Deltans through proper planning in projects execution.

The Commissioner who was in company of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon and Director Rural Roads, Engr Solomon Aghagba, said; “from what we have seen so far, the contractor has done a good job and has progressed steadily, we are impressed with the speed.

“If every contractor can bring this kind of speed to bear on their projects, a lot of projects will not have to suffer unbridled requests for variation.

“The contractor has done well and I must also appreciate our Ministry engineers, particularly the zonal superintendent engineer and the Director Rural Roads for constantly interfacing with the contractors to ensure that the job is done according to specification.

“You will recall that the last time I came here, we pointed out some issues and the contractor working with the zonal superintendent engineer was able to address them.

“I am impressed that the job having progressed to about 70 percent, the road will be among those projects we will inaugurate during Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s one year in office.

“Going forward we will continue to insist that contractors work according to specifications as we have insisted in this case and the contractor also saw reasons with us to keep to specifications,” he said.

The Commissioner further said Governor Oborevwori has made lots of sacrifices by channeling most funds to the construction sector.

Aniagwu, said: “So far he has released the sum of N40 billion in two tranches of N30bn and 10bn to various contractors who have done some jobs across the state.

“You are also aware that Julius Berger has also mobilised to site at the Warri axis and all these efforts are with a view to taking advantage of the construction season.

“We are hoping that contractors working with us agreeing with the speed that the Governor wants to bring to bare in this dry season will be able to give us the required mileage that we want to cover.

“At the moment I have the privilege of chairing a Committee that is saddled with the responsibility of identifying those projects that are likely going to be inaugurated during the Governor’s first year anniversary.

“Governor Oborevwori is interested in knowing the ratio of completion and the necessary funds needed to complete them and this is very important in view of the fluctuations in the exchange rate.

“If you come up with a rate today in less than one week that rate is already challenged in view of the volatility in the exchange rate regime but the Governor in his wisdom has asked us to identify such projects and get them completed as quickly as possible.

“We are working according to plans, we have said this project should be completed and ready for inauguration within six months and from what has been done so far we are very much on course”.