Egbo Inspects Isoko North DESOPADEC Projects

— Reiterates Commission’s Commitment To Quality Projects Delivery

By Ted Atagbaza

The Member representing Isoko ethnic nationality on the Board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Chief Victor Egbo on Monday paid a working visit to some project sites in Isoko North Local Government Area with a view to ascertaining the quality and level of execution of the projects being executed in various communities of the Local Government Area.

The first project inspected was the first phase of Dr. Joseph Onojaeme road at Ovrode town which is 500m in length where the Member praised the quality of the job done so far by the contractor.

“The job done here is to our specification. As it is now, the asphalt work will surely commence between now and Wednesday. I must commend the contractor for this wonderful job he has done. You can see that we are delivering the dividends of democracy to our people,” Chief Egbo said.

Next to be visited was the ongoing modern Civic centre at Okpe-Isoko community which the Member said was a request from the community to the Commission. Hence, DESOPADEC came to their aid with the construction of a modern civic centre.

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“The community cried to DESOPADEC to help them out with a structure where they could hold their meetings and other social gatherings. The Commission deeming it fit that every community should have such a structure, then heeded to their cry by awarding the contract for the construction of the structure. I am here to inspect the job which I observe, is being done according to specification, looking at the foundation level. I am so impressed with the job because this is one of the things that the Governor has mandated us to do. Firsly, we must listen to the people and secondly, we must come to their aid. In line with the M.O.R.E Agenda of the Governor for Delta people, you can see this is the dividend of democracy, moving in line with his campaign promise to Isoko people before his election. I’m looking forward to the completion of this project,” he said.

But the Member frowned at the absence of a signpost to depict the executors of the project and therefore, instructed the contractor to put it up before his next visit.

The installed solar street lights were inspected at Otor-Owhe with the Member commending the contractor for the way the poles especially, were protected from being stolen.

At the road and drainage projects being executed at Ososo street, Etevie community, Ozoro the Member hailed the contractor for the quality of the job done so far while delving into how the contract was birthed through Hon. Barr. Odior Bernard’s office, passed through the offices of Chief Kome Okpobor and Chief Victor Egbo before it was finally awarded.

On the project, Chief Egbo said, “This is a quality job that is being done to specification. The drain is standard but you must put all effort to make sure the project is completed before the rains set in. I’m putting pressure on you now to make you stand on your toes so as to complete it on time. Write to us if you have any challenges. Whatever you write to me shall be discussed with the EDFA so as to make sure your demand is given due attention to aid you in completing this project on time. If this road is not completed before the rains start, people would not be able to go to their houses; the stores on the streets would be perpetually locked up meaning, you would have put all of them in hunger. Hence, I’m here to make sure that this job you started well is completed on time.”

He went further to advise the contractor to always ensure he worked with the Area Office wherein the Commission has qualified engineers who can advise him and that any challenge reported to them would be passed on to him by the Area Office Coordinator.

Also speaking, the Honourable Member representing Isoko North constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly and who is also the Majority Whip of the 8th Assembly, Hon. Barr. Odior Bernard who was happy with the job, urged the contractor to hasten up with the job before the rains set in while giving a brief overview of how he fought tooth and nail to make sure the project made it into the DESOPADEC budget through the EDFA, Chief Okpobor and the Representative, Chief Egbo.

He then thanked the Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for being magnanimous enough to allow the project to be sited there; Chief Okpobor and Chief Egbo for their roles while pleading with them to ensure that the contractor completes the job on time, a job which had not received any form of attention for years.

“I want to congratulate the Etevie community people because this road had been abandoned for so many years. With my election into the State House of Assembly, I had to make sure the road is fixed. I want the people to give the contractor adequate cooperation to enable him complete the job in record time.

Speaking also, Engr. Double Chief Timothy Ozue, a grassroots mobilizer and a friend to the State Government commended the Commission for bringing the suffering of the people in Etevie community to an end and thanked the Honourable Member representing Isoko North in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Barr. Odior Bernard for the relief the completed project would bring to his people at its completion.

And to all Ozoro indigenes, he said, “This road you see here was initiated by Hon. Barr. Odior Bernard and executed by DESOPADEC. You can see the Member representing Isoko nation on the Board of DESOPADEC right here with us on this inspection.”

It is worthy to state here that in all the sites visited, Chief Egbo thanked the EDFA and the State Governor for their magnanimity.

“I’m grateful to the Executive Director Finance and Administration, DESOPADEC, Chief Oghenekome Okpobor who has always been on my neck to see that things are done accordingly. He has been a very supportive man and a very responsible person. He has made me to put more pressure and effort to see that the projects are completed. I give kudos to him for encouraging me to do more. I also thank the Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for giving us this platform to showcase what we have as well as the love we have for our people.”