ROAD infrastructure is one of the major service deliveries expected from every leadership in the present democratic dispensation in Nigeria. Apart from the convenience of transporting goods and services, the roads help in opening up a neglected area to socioeconomic development.
In Delta State, successive administrations have invested huge sums in road construction and community development. A few months ago, precisely in August 2024, the Delta State Executive Council (SEC) approved the construction and rehabilitation of several roads across 23 out of the 25 local government areas of the state.
The approval was one of the many roads so far approved and are either completed or still undergoing construction in various local government areas of the state since the inception of the present administration. The roads awarded so far, no doubt, underscored Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s desire for meaningful development in all parts of the state.
However, it is appalling that despite the government’s genuine intention to provide basic infrastructures, especially roads for the good of the people and development of the communities, contractors handling these projects have engaged in frustrating government efforts by offering substandard jobs.
This development is likely to discourage the government, particularly the governor who has ensured that contracts are awarded and funds released to actualize government objectives.
Expressing his disaffection over dubious acts by contractors, recently, when he hosted the leadership of Isoko Church Leaders’ Forum led by the Anglican Bishop of Oleh Diocese, Rt. Rev. John Aruakpor, on a courtesy visit at the Government House, Asaba, Governor Oborevwori revealed to the August visitors that the state government was investigating the allegations that some contractors were conniving with companies producing and supplying asphalt for road construction thereby short-changing the state.
He vowed to ensure that Deltans get due value for every project executed as the government will not tolerate substandard jobs.
Without mincing words, the governor’s position should be shared by all right-thinking citizens of the state, considering the resources spent on the road projects and the purpose for which they were awarded.
In the past few years, the issue of short-lived roads has been on the front burner. Most roads in the state have failed to withstand the test of time, with some of them lasting less than a year after construction.
Riverine communities are worst hit by the shoddy jobs done by contractors as the residents continue to witness the roads giving way a few months after construction.
This can be attributed to irresponsibility, lack of dexterity, sabotage, and seeming corrupt acts by the contractors, supervisors, and companies providing necessary materials for road construction. It is the relationship between the latter and the contractors that the governor has vowed to unearth.
For contractors to execute solid road projects, they are expected to embark on excavation to the subgrade level to get to the core earth and ensure that the binder and finishing courses are laid according to industry practice. Also, the soil must achieve the optimum moisture content and dry density before the laying of asphalt.
Unfortunately, the laying of asphalt is where stakeholders have found the malpractice that has engendered and exposed shoddy jobs because asphalt is not mixed in the right proportion to ensure durability.
We are delighted that the days of contractors cutting corners are over. We support the move by Governor Oborevwori to expose those shortchanging the government in the name of shoddy jobs and ensure quality roads.
At the end of the ongoing investigations, the offending contractors or culprits would be exposed, the state will get value for the money spent on road construction, those seeking contracts in the state will sit up and corrupt, and indicted contractors would be denied jobs in the state.
As we commend the governor for the steps taken to sanitize road construction in the state, we support every move to ensure that Deltans get value for their money. It is evidence that contractors will still make gains if jobs are executed according to specification and, therefore, it is evil and unpatriotic to deny Deltans access to good roads by such malpractice and conspiracy.
Since assumption of duty, the governor has always expressed his intent to deliver on his promises and contractors should use quality asphalt to construct roads in the state and give the people durable and quality roads to justify the huge investment by the government.
