By ONYEKACHUKWU MELUWA, Warri
The Chairman of the Delta State House of Assembly, House Committee on
Works Hon. (Chief) Evance Ochuko Ivwurie has said that it is disappointed with the contractor handling Asaba International Airport.
“The specific contractor is obstinately recalcitrant and the conduct as well as
non-performance has caused State Government untold embarrassment,
setbacks and public opprobrium.”
Hon. E. Ivwurie made the assertion when he paid “On the Spot Assessment,Inspection and Evaluation Visit” to ascertain the level of actual work done so far.
He stated that the contractor, ULO Consultant Limited and its team with other contractors have carried on their businesses to the detriment of Deltans and State Government by undermining the contract policies and other constituted authorities in the State
Hon. Ivwurie said, it is most unfortunate that the Chairman and Managing Director of ULO Consultant Limited, Chief Uche Ukpunor decided to disregard the Committee by sending a representative Engr. Jerome Adeyemi (Project Manager) and Alli Bugawe, (Assistant Project Manager) of ULO Consultant Limited both of whom could not answer questions put to them by the Committee during the inspection because of their incompetence and lack of knowledge about the performance so far.
Addressing newsmen at the Airport project site today in Asaba, the Chairman House Committee on Works Hon. (Chief) Evance Ochuko Ivwurie said, it is our right to oversight this Asaba International Airport project and other infrastructural developmental projects.
The lawmaker noted that the State Government specially invited the contractor ULO Consultant given the huge financial resources and priority the State Government has invested and earmarked for the Ministry of Works to sustain the current momentum of the government’s drive for infrastructural development, especially the completion of the Asaba International Airport and network of rural and urban roads across the state.
Hon. Ivwurie emphasized that the State Government commitment to the
goal of achieving quality, standard and effective service delivery “expeditiously”, especially for the airport infrastructure for which reason the Governor of Delta State Sen.( Dr.) Arthur Ifeanyichukwu Okowa has indeed funded the Ministry of Works more than adequately in spite of the biting economic recession.”
“There is no gain saying that this administration is pro-people and pro-development, but this contractor and a few other contractors have carried on their businesses to the detriment of the State Government by undermining the State Government, the State contract policies and other constituted authorities in the State, at least by virtue of their nonperformance, absence and disregard for the Committee.”
“The State Government is development driven with a focus on TIMELY quality service delivery and substantial release of the dividends of democracy to all Deltans, of course good roads network and airport are an integral part of good governance and key to economic growth.”
“It is for these reasons that we decided to carry out this critical
oversight function which this Contractor ULO Consultant Ltd have
disregarded.”
“Based on this, we decided to come here and look at what is going on and you can see for yourself that Deltans are extremely, extremely disappointed and blast ULO Consultant Limited, saying that the State Government was not happy with the performance of work done so far.”
Hon. Ivwurie added that this Asaba International Airport is a pro-people and pro-development project that the State Government is committed to its completion and have no reason in the world to abandon the project, adding that the State Government will be taking “firm action” in delivering quality and valued services to Deltans.
“In this Committee we have two world class Engineers, Lawyers,
Accountants, Public Administrators,” Hon. Ivwurie noted.
“The era of Contractors collecting money while abandoning projects is over. Be rest assured that the House Committee on Works will ensure that
Deltans have full value for their money.”
The Committee also noted that there are couple of houses built on the
land belonging to the Airport. We have asked the Airport Director,
Austin Ayomidejor questions regarding this and he said some of the
houses have been demolished and few others have been earmarked for
demolition. We are getting a report on that formally. I am assuring
that the action the Committee has directed in that regard will
guarantee have safety of lives and property for passengers and
residents around the Airport.
The assessment, inspection and evaluation visit was well attended.
It was led by the Chairman, Hon. Chief Evance Ochuko Ivwurie and those in
attendance includes the Vice Chairman Hon. Engr. Oboro Preyor; Hon. Engr. Emeka Nwaobi; Hon. Barr. Daniel Mayuku; Hon. Olorogun Denis Omovie; Hon. Anthony Elekeokwuri; Hon. Kennedy Daubry and Hon. Efe Ofobruku.
