The Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Reuben Izeze accused the contractor throughout an inspection of the 2 projects alongside engineers from the ministry, warning in opposition to partaking in what he described as window dressing every time ministry officers visited the challenge websites.
He stated, “As far as I am concerned, the contractor is not on site, and I must express my strong displeasure with the attitude of the contractor and its pace of work.
“While the rain was falling heavily, it was given as an excuse. But today, the rain can no longer be an excuse because I am not satisfied with what I am seeing.
Speaking further, he said, “This contractor is one of those that have received the full backing of this administration in a bid to encourage indigenous contractors. He has received every form of encouragement.
“We have come here after the rain to see this kind of window dressing to make it appear as though they have been busy. For me, it is unacceptable. We have gone beyond the stage of window dressing and trying to be on site only whenever the contractor hears that ministry officials are coming for inspection.”
“I need the consultant of the contractor to go this message to their principal that if we come right here subsequent time and witness one of these state of affairs, we could have no possibility however to make the suitable suggestion to our boss in Asaba.”
He burdened that the projects had overstayed their anticipated timelines and should be handled with better seriousness to make sure that residents of Orere and Ewu communities profit from the infrastructure.
The Orere River Bridge challenge, which incorporates entry roads and a spur in Orere Town, was awarded to the development firm on January 27, 2021, at an preliminary contract sum of N9.85 billion. The contract sum was subsequently revised to N32.45 billion.
The similar firm is dealing with the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of the Edjekota–Ewu–Orere Road, awarded on September 3, 2026, at a contract sum of N6.92bn.
The highway challenge was mobilised on September 10, 2026, with an anticipated completion date of March 10, 2028.
