Niger Delta
Commissioner Inspects Road Projects Ahead Oborevwori’s First Anniversary
Delta State Commissioner for Works, Rural and Riverine Roads, Mr Charles Aniagwu, on Saturday inspected some completed and ongoing road projects ahead of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s one year in office.
The Tide’s source reports that the projects inspected were in Okpe and Ughelli North Local Government Areas of the state.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the inspection, the Commissioner said the government was desirous of delivering quality projects to the people of the state in line with the “MORE Agenda”.
“We have today inspected four different roads; the first one being the Adagbrasa Road that starts from Warri-Sapele Expressway and terminates at the Effurun Eku Road.
“The second one is about 13.07km; the other one is Esezi Road in Orerokpe, which is a dual carriageway, and it is 1.2km.
“It is a road that cuts across a very major part of Orerokpe, the headquarters of Okpe Local Government Area of the state.
“We also inspected the Okan junction to Agbarho and from there, we are now inspecting this one which is about 3.47km”, he said.
The Commissioner said the inspection was directed by the Governor to ensure three important things: speed in line with the schedule of work, value for money, and quality.
Aniagwu said the government was looking at the number of roads that would be completed ahead of the anniversary.
He identified the Adagbrasa Road, which he said had been completed, as one of the roads to be commissioned.
“We have been assured by the contractor that these other three roads may likely fall in within that threshold.
“What is most important is that the contractor is not only onsite, but he is actually moving with speed”, he said.
According to him, the days contractors secure jobs only to go to sleep is over.
“At our own end, by the grace of God, we will continue to see what we can do to meet up with the financial requirements of the jobs that we have awarded to contractors”, he assured.
Aniagwu further said the government was taking cognisance of compensation, adding that the aspect was being handled by the government valuers.
He appreciated those living along the construction corridors for their cooperation and understanding.
“And because of that, you can see that the contractors are working more or less seamlessly.
“We have not heard reports of anybody disturbing them and we must thank them for appreciating that the government is desirous of bringing development to them”, he said.
He assured the people that the government was equally interested in the development of other sectors such as housing and education.
“This is so that at the end of the day, you will have holistic development across the length and breadth of the 25 Local Government Areas of the state”, he said.
The Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RSBOPP), says efforts are being made to strengthen the existing procurement processes leading to the award of contracts and jobs execution in the state to enhance service delivery.
The Board chairman of the RSBOPP, Lawrence Oko-Jaja, disclosed this while speaking to journalists in his office in Port Harcourt, after a meeting with staff of the agency, last Friday.
Oko-Jaja who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) stated that procurement had become a global issue, stressing that without a proper procurement plan, it would be difficult for any state or nation to move forward in the attainment of its developmental strategies and goals.
The chairman said that the Board had observed some improprieties in the procurement processes and assured that they would take every measure to ensure full compliance with the state procurement laws.
“We will ensure that the laws are followed and we have value for money. We must ensure that money is used for contract execution and not to enrich people’s pockets. We’ll ensure that the money being quoted for any job or contract corresponds with the prevailing market price. We are going to strengthen the monitoring and evaluating team of the Board to perform their duties; going to markets, verify the prices quoted for and also ensure compliance.
“We are going to look into the procurement laws to see how we can close the existing gaps noticed that are not in line with global practices. These measures will also affect local government councils in the state to ensure there is value for money and save money for the state government. And in doing so, the government can spread its services across the state and not in one place.
“His Excellency, the governor of the state has a mantra, “Rivers first”. We are going to ensure we assist him and the state government achieve this policy by ensuring that the procurement laws are complied with and things are done rightly. That is why we are here,” he said.
Oko-Jaja assured that members of the Board would justify the confidence reposed in them by the state governor for the benefit of the state.
Earlier, in an interactive meeting between Board members and staff of the agency, the Board chairman of RSBOPP told the excited workforce that the Board had approved the merger of some departments, namely Legal, Ethics Human Resources and the Facility Management departments to ensure maximum output and efficiency in service delivery.
He said that the Legal and Ethics departments had been merged as one department, adding the Human Resources and Facility Management departments had also been merged.
He told them that going forward every department would also be accountable for its responsibility and announced that the Board had also approved that conditions of service should be put in place for the staff of the agency so that they would grow like their counterparts in the state mainstream civil service.
Akujobi Amadi
The Rivers State Government says it would continue to address the needs of Civil Servants in the State.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara stated this during the Rivers State Civil Service 2025 New Year Thanksgiving Service, at the State Secretariat Complex in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Speaking through his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, Governor Fubara said his Administration is willing and ready to do what will make Civil Servants happy, more hardworking, and more distinguished.
“I want to tell you that you have our ears, and you can tell because when the Head of Service gave his address, there were no demands because while you were yet asking, it was already executed. We want you to know that to whom much is given, much is expected. We do not take your love and support for granted.” Governor Fubara stressed.
The State Chief Executive urged Civil Servants to redouble and rekindle their energy to ensure that the Rivers State Civil Service becomes the envy of Civil Service in Nigeria, noting that the State Government is pleased to work as a family with Civil Servants.
He implored them to continue to uphold his Administration in prayers, which according to him has kept him thus far, adding that prayers would lead them for years to come while asking them to be proud of whom they are as Civil Servants.
In his address, the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nweke, expressed gratitude to Governor Fubara for the implementation of the enhanced minimum wage, payment of Christmas bonus, improved retirement benefits, and creation of employment opportunities amongst others, as well as issuance of SME loans facility to deserving Civil Servants in the State.
Dr Nweke who said the theme of this year’s thanksgiving “Peace Be Still” reminds us that even amid turmoil and uncertainties you can find peace and calm in God’s presence while urging them to pray for continuous peace and development in the State.
In his sermon, the Dean Church of God, Anglican Communion, the Most. Rev. Blessing Enyindah who spoke on the theme “Peace Be Still” drawn from Mark 4:35-41, said storms of life may manifest in different ways and forms, causing us anxiety and sleepless nights but with Jesus Christ by our side, there is hope.
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