From Owen Akenzua, Asaba
Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori has vowed that his administration would blacklist contractors who fail to execute projects in accordance with the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation given to them.
Oborevwori said his administration had begun the payment of the new minimum.
Governor Oborevwori handed down the warning to blacklist the contractors yesterday in his remarks at the 70th birth anniversary of the Chairman, Delta State Civil Service Commission, Mrs Roseline Amioku, at St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Osubi, Okpe Local Government Area.
He said his administration would continue to monitor projects across the state and called on contractors to ensure that they do the right thing in the interest of the state.
“For those contractors doing substandard jobs in Delta State, they will be blacklisted. We are determined to ensure delivery of quality projects to Deltans. It is not easy to govern a state like Delta and no contractor can complain that we are not paying them.
“We are paying our contractors; projects are going on and we have not borrowed for 16 months. I want to assure Deltans that we will not borrow this year, by the grace of God,” Oborevwori said.
On the development of Warri and environs, Governor Oborevwori assured that his administration would remain focused on revamping infrastructure in the twin cities and would continue to do more in all parts of the state.
He called on clerics to continue to pray for the country and those in government, adding that the nation is facing critical challenges.
“To our Lord Bishop, we cannot succeed without your prayers. We need prayers in this country. Here in Delta State, we are united; we don’t mind whether one is APC or PDP. Senator Ede Dafinone is here; he is my brother and he is from my constituency.
“The speaker is managing everybody because we don’t look at party affiliation; election has come and gone and the key point is how we can move this state forward.
“Please, continue to pray for Mr President and for all of us in government because times are very tough; it has been a very challenging time for all of us, including those of us at the state level.
“It is not easy with us here because 90 percent of Deltans depend on the state government and if you look at the entire wage bill, there are over 80,000 workers when you combine state workforce, local government workers and teachers, among others.”
Specifically on the issue of the new minimum wage, Governor Oborevwori said the state had started payment, assuring that those who have not received, would do so as from Monday.
“I want to thank all Deltans; as a government, we will continue to support them, but they should try as much as possible to help themselves too.
“For those who have left this country and are still receiving salaries, we will no longer pay them because they cannot remain abroad and still be on the payroll. It is very bad; it is an act of wickedness and will not be accepted.”
While congratulating Mrs Amioku, Oborevwori urged the celebrant to continue to trust God and lauded her contributions to the growth of the Delta State Civil Service.
