Oborevwori Unhappy with Contractor Handling New High Court Complex

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the ongoing High Court Complex project in Asaba by the contractor. Governor Oborevwori not only frowned at the undue delay in delivering the project, but berated the shoddy job done in the interior of the building.

Giving his assessment when he inspected the project on Tuesday ahead of the May 29 first anniversary of his administration, the governor handed down an ultimatum of two to three weeks for completion as the high court complex was one of the projects penciled down for inauguration to mark the event.

Governor Oborevwori noted that “The exterior is good, and we are satisfied with it. It’s just little maintenance. But the interior is where we have challenges. They have over-delayed the commissioning of this project. I was here on the 23rd of June, less than a month after I assumed office. I came here again on the 31st of August last year; and I am here now. This is the third time I am visiting this project. It shows how important it is to us. It is one of the projects to be commissioned to mark my one year in office.

“We are here with the Chairman of the one year anniversary planning committee, who is the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, the Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Theresa Diai, and we are not too satisfied with the work. But they have promised that, within two weeks, everything will be okay. The person in charge of the furnishing has also assured us to deliver within the next two to three weeks. So, I am sure that by next month, we are going to commission this project.”

The five-storey high court building has such features as conference halls, chambers, a library, zoom room, computer laboratory, public and private elevators, holding cell for suspects, registry, canteen, car park and male and female convenience apartments.

On powering the complex, the governor said, “I have discussed with the Chief Judge; this project cannot rely on just the normal power from BEDC. It will be connected to the Independent Power Plant.”

Whetting the appetites of workers on their expectations on May Day (Wednesday), Governor Oborevwori said: “I am a worker-friendly governor. I paid the outstanding workers’ promotion arrears when I came in. We supported the local governments to clear outstanding pension arrears. And, just last week, we gave vehicles to the 29 permanent secretaries that had not got vehicles. So, you will hear from me on May Day”.