The Delta state government has commended a home-based firm, Obakpor Engineering Limited, for bridging the gap between indigenous contractors and their foreign counterparts.
The State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, gave the commendation on Friday shortly after inspecting the ongoing construction works at Orere Bridge in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state, being executed by the indigenous contractors.
The bridge, which is 500m long, cuts across 25 spans of 20 meters each, with an access road of 4.3km and 1.36km arterial roads, connecting over 30 communities that make up the Ewu Kingdom in Ughelli South of the state.
According to Hon. Izeze, the ongoing construction of the bridge signifies Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s commitment to providing opportunities for all Deltans, as enshrined in his MORE Agenda.
He commended the contracting firm for the work done so far on the project and assured that the incumbent administration would continue to patronize contractors with proven competence and capacity to deliver on projects.
While reiterating the importance of the project to the several communities across the Orere River, Comrade Izeze, a former member representing Ughelli South Constituency, commended the state government for awarding the project.
He said, “I am very pleased with this project, the famous Orere Bridge because it’s something I advocated for over the years.
“Let me state very unequivocally that I am very impressed with what I am seeing on the ground, considering the fact that the contracting firm, Obakpor Engineering before now has been one of those companies that have been alleged to cut corners, not having the professionalism to deliver on projects.
“But here we are standing across the project that is being handled by Obakpor Engineering, and you would think that you are standing at the Trans-Warri Ode-Itsekiri bridges that are being handled by a foreign firm.
“What they have done so far is that they are bridging the gap between our indigenous contractors and their foreign counterparts.
“One of the cardinal legs upon which the MORE Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori stands is ‘Opportunities for all,’ and it means everybody would have the opportunity to prove themselves.
“The quality of your work will determine how much patronage you will receive from the government. I can say categorically that Obakpor Engineering has improved tremendously in terms of manpower and equipment.
“The contractor has said he will be out of sight completely within the next nine months, and this goes to show that Obakpor Engineering has come of age, and they will continue to improve as we move forward. It is a fantastic job, but as I will always say, there is room for improvement.”
On the length of the bridge before the river, Izeze explained that the bridge was designed to ensure that high floodwaters do not impede the usage of the bridge when there is a flood around the corridor.
“If you understand this terrain, the over 30 communities that make up the Ewu Kingdom in Ughelli South are entirely an island, and they don’t need much rain before the flood starts.
“To get the proper sloping, the bridge is designed such that there is enough distance before the river so that by the time flooding starts, it will not disturb the usage of this bridge,” Izeze said.
The Managing Director of Obakpor Engineering Limited, Olorogun John Oguma, said the company remains committed to completing the project on target.
He said the project was delayed by yearly flooding that makes the firm lose four months of active work annually.
“The taste of the pudding is in the eating. We are trying our best as one of the best indigenous contractors around the state to ensure that we deliver the best quality roads and bridges for our dear state.
“What you are seeing here started in 2021, but God willing, we will finish the decking by February to March ending, then we will thereafter face the access road.
“By the grace of God, this place will be fully motorable, and we will open this bridge to the remaining 15 communities up to Bomadi.
“We can assure that in the next nine months, we will be through with the job, and I thank the state government for trusting us with this all-important project.”
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