IPDI appeals to Okowa to fast-track re-awarding of Ayaokoromo bridge contract

•Says Ayakoromo, Burutu leaders are under attack over the revocation

The Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, IPDI has appealed to His Excellency senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the governor of Delta state to expedite the re-awarding process of Ayakoromo bridge contract to a fresh company as to fast- track the completion of the project before leaving office.

This was disclosed in an interview with newsmen by its National president Comrade Ozobo Austin on Tuesday.

The group emphasized that political leaders of Ayakoromo and Burutu LGA have come under attack by angry youths over the revocation of the contract as they threatened to stone them during campaigns.

Recall, Okowa had revoked the Ayakoromo bridge contract on last Friday, citing slow pace of work by the former contracting firm as excuse for his action.

While answering questions on whether there is indication that Okowa would soon perfect the re-award of Ayakoromo bridge contract to new company, Ozobo said having known the importance of the bridge project, it is expected that the governor expedite the re-awarding of the bridge project to new company so as to get the project completed as promised by the governor to complete it early next year.

According to him, among other things, PDP need the bridge to campaign for the support of Burutu people in the next general elections in the country.

On the revocation of the contract, Ozobo said it is within the rights of any government to revoke any contract awarded to any company when found out that the contract did not meet specifications.

“People are only worried about the timing as regards the few moments left for his government to round up. The fear of the people are that the process of the re-awarding of the contract takes some processes and time. When will he re-award, approves money and get the work completed before leaving office in few months time, that is the fear.

“It is part of my appeal that His Excellency senator Ifeanyi Okowa should see need to expedite the re-awarding process of the Ayakoromo bridge contract, so that Ayakoromo and Burutu people will continue to remember him for this legacy project even when he has left office”, Ozobo added.