By Austin Ogwuda
Delta State government has raised alarm over alleged fraudulent move by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs claiming responsibility for the rehabilitation of failed Bedesiegha bridge along Bomadi road in Delta State, Nigeria, which it never handled.
The State government said it took the responsibility to carry out repairs and suddenly the Niger Delta Affairs ministry surfaced and hanged its signposts signifying that it was in charge of the rehabilitation.
Addressing journalists at the project site, on Saturday, the State Commissioner for Works Highways and Urban Roads, Comrade Reuben Izeze said that it was an attempt by the Niger Delta Affairs ministry to allegedly swindle the Federal Government by falsely laying claim to a project it did not execute.
According to him, “the approach to the bridge was eroded by flood in 2022 and the Delta State Government awarded this remedial work in December 2022 with a 6-month completion period which was not feasible because of another round of flood that made the place inaccessible.
“The water rose almost on top of the bridge so an emergency alternative route was created to at least take care of light vehicles below 20,000 tonnes.
“The Governor was particularly concerned because this road leads to five local governments and Bayelsa State and Niger Construction Company concluded work on the bridge since December 20, 2023 and it was subsequently opened up for use by the general public during Christmas.
“The main reason why we are here today is that in the course of laying the Asphalt in January, we discovered that certain persons had attempted to take credit for this job that was done by the Delta State Government through Niger Cat Construction Company.
“The bridge was completed and opened up to the general public as at December 20 and because the contractor and our engineers had gone on break, these persons came with the flag of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and placed them on both ends of the bridge.
“By their action they made”, he went on, “it seem as if it was the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs that was responsible for the rehabilitation of the bridge but that is actually not the case.
“We are here to let the public, particularly the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and well meaning Nigerians to know that this project particularly the extension of the bridge was done by the Delta State Government and the contractors are right here with us. So it’s surprising that somebody wants to lay claim to what they have not done”, he added.
Also speaking, Mr Charles Aniagwu, State Commissioner of Works (Rural and Riverine Roads) who accompanied him said, “Like my colleague earlier said, we are also interested in helping the Federal Government to fight corruption because those who came here to erect their signpost without doing any work here obviously had the intention of deceiving the Federal Government.
“This project is not a small project because it runs into billions so for someone to come here and lay claim if you don’t correct that impression the person may succeed collecting billions for work done by another person.
“We welcome interventionist agencies including Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC to work in our state because that is the reason they were set up but they must do the work well and claim money for the job they have done and not the one they have not done.
“We will continue to partner with them but not for the purpose of allowing us do a job and then go back and claim the money, that is corruption and we hope that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs who has a whole lot of integrity will take note of this that the bridge at Bedesiegha along Bomadi Road was rehabilitated by the Delta State Government.
“It is in the characteristics of Governor Oborevwori to respond in good time, because it is his nature to ensure that projects are delivered in good time and I am happy that our people are now plying the route”.
