BY PATRICK MGBODO
The Delta State Commissioner for Technical Education, Hon. Smart Ufoh has put contractors on their toes, warning that subpar construction on its model technical colleges would not be tolerated.
Determined to safeguard Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda, the technical education commissioner said they would resist any efforts to compromise the quality of these critical projects.
Ufoh made this disclosure during an inspection of the technical colleges in Omadino, Warri South Local Government Area and Irri, Isoko South Local Government Area, where he assessed the progress of the ongoing projects.
At Omadino, Ufoh expressed displeasure at the pace of work on the project which commenced in 2020, even as he summoned the consultant overseeing the project and the contractors for a crucial meeting in Asaba, the state capital.
‘’To get this place ready, we must be serious before the Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori comes here. I know him, he is a man of action, and in furtherance of his MORE Agenda he does not leave any stone unturned.
‘’I am not satisfied with the work so far. We have to be serious; all hands must be on deck. The gap between the consultant and the contractors has to be sealed so that we can finish this project and commission it in a very short time. The governor is interested in this project and has funded it so the work has to be done’’ he said.
At Irri, the technical education commissioner also stressed the need for contractors to justify the government’s investments by executing their jobs to meet standards and timeline, adding ‘’Take government projects seriously because Rt HonOborevwori is a hard-working governor determined to give the best for Deltans’’
Addressing journalists, the consultant handling the projects, Arc Andy Imafidon, claimed that the delay in the project, even though the contractors were duly mobilized to the site is more funding, adding ‘’prices of things has gone up.
‘’The old Bill of Quantity is still what the contractors are using. However, we need to work with the contractors to synergise on how to push them so that they can meet up within the scheduled time.
‘’Fortunately, we are not owing them (contractors) any certificate. We have paid them for every work they have done and I am happy to say that the governor has also paid all those certificates to the contractors. However, the certificates were based on the BOQ at the time. So, a job that is supposed to be done with about N100m would cost about N300m today’’ Imafidon said.
Among the facilities inspected by the commissioner in both colleges, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Dr (Mrs) Gloria Patrick-Ferife, include halls, classrooms, workshops, refectory, staff quarters, clinics and other support facilities.
