A motorcyclist avoids a hole in a road in Delta State Credit: SaharaReporters
New
revelation has been made about how the multi-billion naira roads in
Delta State have begun to deteriorate just six months after
commissioning.
According to an exclusive SaharaReporters report, it has been
learned that multi-billion naira roads constructed by the Governor
Ifeanyi Okowa administration of Delta State are beginning to collapse
just six months after their commissioning,
Engineers told SaharaReporters that the roads were poorly built with substandard materials.
Dilapidated road in Delta State Credit: SaharaReporters
Just last week, Delta State Commissioner for Works James Augoye,
speaking on Hot 96.5 FM in Asaba, boasted that the roads were built to
last by “first class contractors.”
“All of our contractors are first class contractors building standard roads that will stand the test of time,” Mr. Augoye said, citing SETRACO as one of construction companies hired by the state.
The public works commissioner also said that the state awarded a
contract last year for the construction of a new N.17 billion sewage
drainage system connecting DLA, Jesus Saves and Agric roads in Asaba in
an effort to reduce severe flooding.
Despite the construction of this sewage system, the streets of
Asaba are regularly flooded following heavy rains, which further damage
the roads.
Some of the companies commissioned to build and repair Delta State roads
Credit: SaharaReporters
An investigation by SaharaReporters revealed that Mr. Okowa hired
contracting companies owned by his cronies, relatives, and kinsmen.
Some of the companies do not even specialize in road construction,
it was learned. One such company is a supplier of office supplies and
stationery with no record of construction or civil engineering.
Some of the companies commissioned to build and repair Delta State roads
Credit: SaharaReporters
The commissioner, who blamed the poor state of the roads on the
rainy season, received backlash from Delta State residents after he took
to social media to ask them to report incidents of damaged roads to his
office.
Engineers who spoke with SaharaReporters under the condition of
anonymity blamed Mr. Okowa for awarding contracts worth billions of
naira to companies with little or no knowledge of road construction.
“What we are experiencing now is a result of the failure of the
governor to give jobs to competent contractors. All jobs he awards are
based on political patronage, especially to his brothers, kinsmen and
cronies and the result is the failed and collapsed roads we are seeing,”
one civil engineer said.
Some of the companies commissioned to build and repair Delta State roads
Credit: SaharaReporters
“Some of these roads haven’t even been constructed for six months and are already damaged.”
Another engineer who lamented how roads were poorly constructed with substandard materials in Delta State noted, “The
problem is that because these roads are given out as political
patronage by the governor. It’s difficult to carry out a holistic
inspection because of the contractors’ relationships with the governor.
“They come in with intimidation and force the ministry to raise certificates for them even without inspection,” he said.
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