…Says govt is not owing contractors
Sheriff Oborevwori, Delta State Governor has frowned over the use of small-scale dredgers in the construction of Asaba Waterfront project, attributing it to the delay experienced in completion and delivery of the project.
According to him, the road infrastructure is critical for unlocking the economic potential of the waterfront, as it would open up access for investors.
The ambitious waterfront development, one of the state’s flagship urban renewal projects, features the construction of a six-lane dual carriageway awarded to two firms, Fokland and North China Construction Limited.
However, when Governor Oborevwori in company of Emomotimi Guwor, the speaker of the state House of Assembly inspected the project site, on Friday, he observed that the road component was about 85 percent completed while dredging activities were delayed.
Oborevwori whose tenure as Delta governor began May 29, 2023, recalled, “When I came in, this project had already been awarded to North China Construction Limited, but there was no mobilisation. That delay affected progress. We had to mobilise them, and I personally came for inspection on January 16 this year.”
“We have done our part. We awarded the contract, fulfilled our obligations under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU,) and paid full compensation. We are not owing anyone, contractors or the community but I am disappointed that dredging which is the core of the waterfront development, is yet to commence.
He warned that reliance on small-scale local dredgers would be grossly inadequate for the scope of work, saying; “if they want to use local dredgers, even in 20 years they cannot achieve it. They need to bring in an English cutter dredger. That’s my advice.”
The governor also faulted the absence of contractors during the inspection, stressing that critical decisions on timelines and equipment deployment remain unresolved.
Oborevwori said: “Asaba is now a busy city and people are ready to invest. Once this place is completed, it will look like Eko Atlantic. We are all eager to see the end of it, a place where people can own beautiful properties and do business.”
He restated his administration’s commitment to the MOU guiding the project and maintained that government has kept its side of the bargain.
“We are on track because we have kept our promise. It’s now up to the investors—North China Construction Limited and Folkland Limited to keep theirs. You know, I’m a promise keeper,” he declared.
The Asaba Waterfront Project is envisioned to transform the state capital into a thriving commercial and residential hub, comparable to modern developments in other major Nigerian cities.
With road infrastructure nearing completion, the spotlight now falls on the contractors to deliver the dredging phase and move the project closer to reality.
