The All Progressives Congress, APC in Delta State has accused the Governor of over-inflating the cost of the projects in the state.
The APC alleged that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori inflated the cost of the construction of three flyovers in Effurun, Warri to the tune of N50 billion, claiming that yet, the project would not be completed in 8 years.
Recall that Governor Oborevwori had, a few months ago, awarded the construction of three flyovers, cloverleaf and pedestrian bridges across PTI junction, DSC roundabout and Enerhen junction, to Julius Berger Company PLC, at a cost of N78 billion
A few weeks ago, a group, Delta Contractors Forum raised an alarm, alerting that the N78 billion flyover project was a total fraud, adding that contrary to the claim by the state government that the construction company was mobilized with N19 billion (which is about 25%), the Governor fully mobilized Julius Berger with the total cost of N78 billion.
The Contractors Forum also alleged that the governor connived with the construction company to refund a kickback of N50 billion, adding that the governor arranged a variation of the cost of the project to the tune of N125 billion.
Although the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Festus Ahon debunked the allegation, saying that Julius Berger would never accept to pay a contract, he referred the newsmen to the Commissioner in charge of Urban and Highway roads, Reuben Izeze to respond.
In his reaction, Commissioner, Izeze described the Contractors’ Forum allegation contained in a petition to EFCC, as wicked and false.
He, however, diverted his response, saying that one of the components of the flyover contract, which he referred to as relocation of the 333 KV transmission line will cost the government N1.7 billion and that it will take more than a year to complete the replication process.
But as the governor is embarking on the groundbreaking of the project today, the Delta State All Progressives Congress, APC, has reinforced the alarm, claiming the multi-billion naira flyover project was not only a ruse but a conduit pipe to fleece Deltans of over N78 billion.
In a release signed by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo in Asaba yesterday, the APC noted that it was impossible for three flyovers which are not up to 1,500 metres and the expansion of the NPA-DSC expressway from Effurun roundabout to cost up to N78 Billion.
The party publicity Secretary accused the Oborevwori administration of continuing the massive fraud in which his predecessor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa visited the state economy for eight years, saying, “The Leopard cannot change its spots”.
Onojeghuo stated that when Governor Zulum of Boko Haram-torn Borno State was celebrating 77 signature projects in his first 100 days in office, Gov. Oborevwori who continues to swim in hundreds of billions of nairas of allocations, is celebrating the groundbreaking of three flyovers at a whopping cost of N78 billion.
The state APC also claimed that the immediate past Ebonyi State governor and incumbent Minister of Works, David Umahi did not spend up to N78 billion on the 18 flyovers he constructed in that state.
The party also called on Deltans to ask Governor Oborevwori to take account of the total allocations and IGR that have so far accrued to the state coffers in the past five months he has mounted the administration of the state.
“It is laughable to see the Sheriff Oborevwori administration inviting people to witness the groundbreaking ceremony of the construction of 3 flyovers. How can Delta State with so much resources be talking about 3 flyovers at this point of its existence while states like Rivers under Wike had over 9 flyovers for 63 billion before his exit from government?
“Why is Delta State under Sheriff spending 78 billion to construct just only 3 flyovers? Former Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade did not just construct roads and flyovers, he also established industries in different parts of the state that created jobs for the indigenous people of Cross River State.
“But in the case of our State, Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori and his PDP cohorts are celebrating the groundbreaking of 3 flyovers as an accomplishment at such a time when Gov. Sanwo Olu Lagos State has completed and is currently operating a blue rail public transit system and has commenced the phase two which is the red line rail system.
“This occasion is nothing more than the celebration of mediocrity and one of those jamborees which the PDP government in Delta State has been known for”, he added.