Delta Threatens Sanctions Over Delayed N38.45bn Bridge, Road Projects

The Delta State Government has threatened sanctions against the contractor handling the Orere River Bridge and Edjekota–Ewu–Orere Road projects in Ughelli South Local Government Area over unsatisfactory progress and alleged delays.

The Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Reuben Izeze, issued the warning during an inspection of the projects on Saturday, expressing displeasure over the contractor’s pace of work and apparent lack of commitment to meeting delivery timelines.

Izeze, who was accompanied by engineers from the ministry, said the contractor could no longer use the rainy season as an excuse for the slow progress, insisting that the level of activity observed at the sites was unacceptable.

He accused the company of taking advantage of its relationship with the state government, despite receiving substantial support from the administration to encourage indigenous contractors.

According to the commissioner, the government expects contractors to reciprocate its support through diligence, consistent construction activities and timely delivery of projects.

He also alleged that the contractor only made efforts to create an impression of progress whenever officials from the Ministry of Works scheduled inspection visits.

“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,” Izeze said.

He directed the contractor’s representative to communicate the government’s displeasure to the company’s management, warning that another unsatisfactory inspection could lead to a recommendation for appropriate sanctions.

The commissioner stressed that the government would no longer tolerate unnecessary delays, particularly on projects considered important to residents and the state’s infrastructure development.

The Orere River Bridge project, which includes access roads and a spur in Orere Town, was awarded on January 27, 2021, at an initial cost of N9.85 billion. The contract sum was subsequently revised upward to N32.45 billion.

The same contractor is also executing the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of the Edjekota–Ewu–Orere Road, awarded on September 3, 2026, at a cost of N6.92 billion.

The road project was formally mobilised on September 10, 2026, with completion scheduled for March 10, 2028.

The two projects have a combined revised contract value of N39.37 billion, underscoring the scale of the government’s investment in road and bridge infrastructure in the area.