…Commissioner Inspects Projects in Aniocha North, Aniocha South
Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has reaffirmed that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s insistence on rigorous project supervision is key to delivering quality infrastructure and ensuring full value for public funds.
Aniagwu made this known on Wednesday during an extensive inspection of ongoing and completed rural road projects across Aniocha North and Aniocha South Local Government Areas. He issued firm directives to contractors to correct identified defects and improve work quality where necessary.
He explained that the administration’s strict oversight strategy was designed to balance the contractors’ business interests with the government’s responsibility to ensure quality service delivery.
“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,” he said.
Aniagwu noted that regular site inspections also help the ministry identify and address unforeseen engineering challenges that may arise during construction, including additional culvert needs, compensation issues, or erosion control requirements. These, he said, are covered under contingency provisions in the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME).
The Commissioner, accompanied by the Director of Rural Roads, Engr. Solomon Aghagba, and other senior officials, began the inspection at the Issele-Azagba–Otulu Road, where he assessed asphalt works and inspected drainage and flood-control structures. While commending the contractor, he ordered the backfilling of drains and extension of the discharge channel to improve water flow and prevent erosion.
He explained that such corrective steps are necessary to ensure long-term functionality of the infrastructure.
“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 added.
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 inspection of the Onicha-Ugbo project was important for final payment approval.
He expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work on the various sites, stressing that only projects meeting approved standards would be certified for payment under the current administration.
Aniagwu further highlighted that Governor Oborevwori’s policy of allocating dedicated project funds to each local government area has significantly expanded rural infrastructure development.
“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,” he said.
Responding to concerns about roads that begin and end within the same community, Aniagwu clarified that internal roads are vital to community mobility.
“Intra-community roads help residents move within their town. Some communities have up to six or seven quarters, and they must also be connected,” he explained.
On the proposed 2026 budget, the Commissioner announced that allocations for local government projects would increase from N2.1 billion to about N5 billion, following the successes recorded under the current funding strategy.
He added that contractors now receive up to 40 percent mobilisation and are promptly paid 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 disclosed that the ministry had already held technical meetings with engineers and directed immediate remedial action. Measures would also be taken to reduce water velocity, which he identified as the main 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 required adjustments for drainage and erosion control fall within permissible BEME contingencies and would be executed to guarantee durability.
“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 standards of our people, no matter where they live,” he concluded.