In a bid to ensure proper and enduring control of flood in the affected area when completed, the Delta State Executive Council has approved the extension of Warri-Uvwie Storm Drainage project.
The extension consists of flood control works in Ugbuwangue community in Warri South Local Council and additional 15 work sites in Phases I and II of the drainage project, bringing the total number of sites to 76.
Briefing journalists on the outcome of the Council meeting presided over by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in Asaba, Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, said decisions reached on the project and other issues were targeted at measures that would entrench and deepen the administration’s Stronger Delta agenda.
In the company of the Director-General, Warri-Uvwie and Environs Development Agency, Mr. Ovuozourie Macaulay, and Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, Aniagwu listed other projects to include the Advanced Diagnostic Centre and the Mother and Child Medical Centre, Owa-Alero, due for immediate completion.
The commissioner disclosed that the Council approved additional works and procurement that would make the medical centre a world-class facility, adding that the Ministry of Health had been directed to ensure that work on the facility was fast-tracked.
On his part, Macaulay recalled that the initial contract for the Warri and Uvwie flood control projects was awarded in January last year, but the progress of work was stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
“I am happy to report that CCECC, the contractor, has achieved 50 per cent of the initial contract, while Levante has achieved a little over 40 per cent on its part, and the people of the areas are happy.
“The flooding in Enerhen Road and Enerhen Junction is now a thing of the past because the whole area has been taken care of,” he said.
Macaulay disclosed that the increase of work sites on the storm drainage projects from an initial 61 to 76, has caused a corresponding increase of the contract value by N4.5billion from the initial N9.5 billion, which was necessitated by some developments in the area.
“The whole of Ugbuwangue community is underwater and the government has also approved that the area should be taken care of,” he stated.
