Paul Osuyi, Asaba
DELTA State Government said the multi-million naira contract for the rehabilitation of the Direct Labour Agency (DLA) Road, in Asaba, the state capital, has been repudiated for poor performance.
The DLA Road transversing the densely populated area has been a major challenge to the state government over the years, defying efforts to rehabilitate it, due to peculiar nature of the topography. The area is usually abandoned during the wet season.
Commissioner for Information, Patrick Ukah, who announced the repudiation of the contract, told newsmen, in Asaba, that the decision was taken at the weekly State Executive Council meeting, presided over by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Answering questions on the collapse of the scoreboard at the newly completed Stephen Keshi Stadium, Ukah attributed the incident to the heavy wind of Monday night, saying no life was lost.
The windstorm had led to collapse of the scoreboard, which toppled into the 30,000 capacity stadium, causing a loud noise that made residents in the neighbourhood to scamper for safety, according to an eyewitness.
Ukah recalled that the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET) had predicted heavy wind across the country and noted that the collapse scoreboard is receiving attention.
He said the damaged part of the complex would be fixed by the contractor, as the project has not been officially handed over to the state government.
On the other decisions of the State Executive Council, Ukah disclosed that as part of efforts to open up the state through roads, the meeting approved the (Phase II) construction of Fear God Street (Bonsaac) and construction of Pat Kanayo Okonta Street/Amaechi Uzuegbu Street/Part of Nze Francis Street/Onwa Nwachinemelu Street in Asaba.