Delta Alleges N’Delta Ministry’s Attempt to Defraud FG

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

Delta State Government has uncovered an attempt by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to defraud the federal government through a deceptive claim, by trying to take credit for the rehabilitation of the failed Bedesiegha Bridge on Bomadi Road in Delta State.

“Whereas the rehabilitation project was being undertaken solely by the state government, the Niger Delta Ministry had inexplicably planted a signpost in the area, indicating that it was carrying out the rehabilitation work,” the state government claimed.

The State Commissioners for Works Highways and Urban Roads, Mr Reuben Izeze, raised the alarm while inspecting the project at the weekend, describing the action of the Niger Delta Ministry as apparently meant “to swindle the federal government.”

Izeze, who was in company with his counterpart in the state Ministry of Works, Rural and Riverine Roads, Mr Charles Aniagwu, as well as the Member Representing Patani Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr Emmanuel Sinebe and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Mr Fred Edafioghor, noted that “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 six-month completion period, which was not feasible because of another round of flood that made the place inaccessible.”

“The water rose almost above 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 (Delta) local government areas and Bayelsa State,” he added, saying the construction company had completed work on the bridge since December 20, 2023 and,  it was subsequently opened up for use by the general public during last Christmas.”

However, the commissioner observed that in the course of laying asphalt in January this year, it 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.”

He said that during the interval between the opening of to bridge to vehicular traffic and when the contractor and state ministry engineers had gone on break, “some persons came with the flags (signposts) of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and placed them on both ends of the bridge.”

“By their action they made 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 havenot done.”

While commending the ministry for proper solution of the project for prompt delivery and according to specification, Aniagwu noted that Delta State was actually complementing the federal government’s anti-corruption campaign by alerting the public to the fraud.

Aniagwu 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 character of Governor (Sheriff) 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.”