From Owen Akenzua, Asaba
Tension is brewing in Sapele, Delta State, as residents of Olympia-Uko link road currently under construction have raised concern over the quality of work being carried out by the contractors handling the project.
The aggrieved residents alleged that substandard materials are being used, warning that the road may not stand the test of time.
Residents, who spoke to our correspondent, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the pace and standard of the work.
Mr Felix Ogboru, a trader whose shop is along the road, said: “We are grateful that this road is being constructed, but what is the essence of building a road that will wash away within one year? The gravel is not even well-packed. We fear they are cutting corners.”
Another resident, Mrs Gloria Eguakun, a school teacher, decried the “carelessness” on the part of the contractors. “When it rains, the water washes away the top layer easily. This shows the base is weak. We are calling on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to send an independent team to inspect this project,” she said.
Mr Osakwe Emmanuel, a civil engineer who resides in the area, also shared his technical observations. “From what I have seen, the base course is not properly compacted. If this continues, the asphalt will crack within months. This is not how a road meant to last should be built.”
A youth leader, Mr Moses Oghenekaro, called for more transparency and community involvement. “We want development, but not at the cost of future suffering. If they claim this is a road for the people, then the people must be carried along and shown the materials being used.”
Reacting to the concerns, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Monitoring, Emmanuel Ayomanor, urged residents to remain calm and patient.
“Government is aware of the complaints and we are monitoring the project closely. I want to assure the people that this road is still under construction and adjustments will be made where necessary. The contractors have been directed to follow due process. Let us not pass judgment yet.”
He added that Governor Oborevwori remains committed to delivering quality infrastructure across the state and will not tolerate substandard projects.
Meanwhile, calls for an independent technical audit of the project have grown louder, as residents insist that they would not be silenced over what they described as “a ticking time bomb.”
