Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, Wednesday, said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s emphasis on rigorous supervision of projects is central to ensuring quality delivery and full value for public funds.
Aniagwu stated this during an extensive inspection tour of ongoing and completed rural road projects across Aniocha North and Aniocha South Local Government Areas, where he issued firm directives to contractors to correct identified errors and enhance performance.
He said the administration’s strict oversight policy was designed to balance the contractors’ legitimate pursuit of profit with government’s responsibility to citizens.
The Commissioner said: “The reason His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, insists on constant supervision is to strike a balance between the contractor’s desire to make profit and our obligation to ensure value for money.
“It must always be a win-win situation, contractors make their profits, and our people get quality projects.”
Aniagwu explained that regular site checks also enable the ministry to address unforeseen engineering challenges not captured during project design, including additional culvert requirements, compensation matters, or erosion control needs.
These, he noted, fall under contingency provisions in the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME).
Aniagwu, accompanied by the Director of Rural Roads, Engr. Solomon Aghagba, and senior ministry officials, began the inspection at the Issele-Azagba–Otulu Road, where he assessed the asphalt laying and examined installed flood-control structures.
While commending the contractor, he directed backfilling of drains and an extension of the discharge channel to ensure effective water flow and prevent erosion.
“We have seen the need to take some measures so the drainage can function more effectively. It doesn’t mean the contractor has not worked according to specification, but supervision allows us to identify enhancements that ensure long-term performance,” he said.
The team also visited the 1.95km Atuma–Iga Internal Roads, the 1.2km Justice Chukwudumebi Oseji Way in Idumuje-Unor, and the completed 2.75km Umuoshimi Road in Onicha-Ugbo. Aniagwu said his physical assessment of the Onicha-Ugbo project was necessary before finalising payment.
He expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work, particularly on Justice Oseji Way and the Atuma–Iga projects, reiterating that only quality work would be approved for payment under the current administration.
The Commissioner highlighted that Oborevwori’s policy of dedicating project funds to each local government has significantly boosted rural infrastructure development.
Aniagwu said: “You can see that these roads pass through communities where no ‘big men’ live. That is because this government is for everybody, not just politicians or the elite.
“The projects you see are part of our agenda of opportunities for all, ensuring no community is left behind.”
Responding to enquiries on the nature of some roads that begin and end within the same community, Aniagwu clarified that internal roads are as important as inter-community links.
“Intra-community and inter-quarter roads help residents move within their town. In some communities, you may have up to six or seven quarters, and they must also be connected,” he explained.
On the proposed 2026 budget, Aniagwu revealed that allocations for local government projects would rise from N2.1 billion to about N5 billion, following the successes recorded since the funding policy began.
He added that contractors under the present administration receive up to 40 percent mobilisation and are paid promptly upon completion and certification of work. “If this contractor finishes the Issele-Azagba–Otulu Road in the next four weeks, Oborevwori will pay within this budget year,” he assured.
Addressing the emerging gully along the Issele-Azagba–Otulu corridor, Aniagwu said the ministry had already held technical discussions with engineers and directed immediate remedial action. Additional measures, he said, would be implemented to reduce water velocity which is the major cause of erosion.
“We will ensure the gully does not escalate beyond what we can manage. Beyond tackling the existing challenge, we will also slow down the speed of water so it no longer cuts through the earth,” he said.
Aniagwu reaffirmed that all necessary adjustments for drainage improvement and erosion control fall within permissible contingencies under the BEME and would be executed to guarantee long-term efficiency.
“We are satisfied with what we are seeing, and we will continue to insist on quality. At the end of the day, the goal is to improve the living standard of our people, no matter where they live,” he concluded.