For the past ten years since its inception [2008 -1017], the billions invested so far by Delta State Government in the building of Asaba International Airport has raised worries among ‘Deltans’ so much that it could make one weep on a daily basis at the sight of the outcome of this supposed mega project.
The foundation laying stone of the Asaba International Airport was done by former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Vincent Ogbulafor on May 7, 2008.The contract was awarded to ULO Consultants, an indigenous firm owned by Uche Luke Okpuno, an indigene of Asaba.
TheNewsGuru.com gathered that airport was built at an estimate of over N26 billion, the project commenced under ex-Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2008, suffered a major setback when the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) downgraded it in 2015 as the state government failed to fix key infrastructure, – repairs of the uneven runways, perimeter fencing, drainage as well as lack of adequately trained technical personnel.
Empty promises
Earlier in 2017, specifically on the 4th of February, Uduaghan’s successor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa brought smiles to the face of his people in Delta State after he assured them of a speedy uplift of the Asaba airport project, stressing that the airport will soon be rated among the best in the country.
The governor made the declaration at an unscheduled inspection visit to the airport at the said time.
His words, “getting it right is very important, airport is not about the structure but about the runway and we believe that when completed, the airport will be among the best in the country based on standard.”
Nine months after the lofty Okowa’s promises, the Asaba International Airports is still at its ugly state, a gigantic embarrassing edifice situated at the centre of Delta state.
Contractors, Delta government trade words
Apparently confused and embarrassed by the many failure to near or provide a completion stage, the Delta State government and the contracting firm handling the construction works at the Asaba Airport [ULO Consultants Limited] are today currently still trading blames over the alleged shoddy execution of runway project at the Asaba Airport.
The contracting firm, when summoned by the State House of Assembly blamed the government for an alleged unnecessary and over bearing interference on the poor execution and delay in the project.
The Chief Executive of the construction firm, Chief Uche Okpunor, told the House of Assembly Committee on Works that the government and the state ministry of works allegedly were responsible for the delay in completion of the project as a result of unnecessary bureaucracy.
Delta Commissioner for Works, Mr. James Augoye dismissed the allegation. He said that one of the problems violating air space safety code was the presence of sea of illegal structures (residential apartments) constructed a few meters from the airport’s runway, a disturbing observable fact he alleged ULO could not addressed.
He said the Ministry of Works has received a letter of disengagement from ULO Consultants Ltd.He said the letter has been passed to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to examine its financial, legal and contractual implications.
But the contractor, Mr. Uche Ukponor refused to disclose what informed his decision to disengage from the contract after presentation of the project status to the House Committee on Works but assured that he will do so in due time.
Okpunor alleged that the government and the State Ministry of Works were partly responsible for the delay in completing the project due to deliberate bureaucracy.He further alleged inconsistent designs, atmospheric conditions and terrain among other issues as cause for the failure of the runway.
Delta State Assembly wades in revives hope…
The Chairman of the Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Works, Hon. (Chief) Evance Ochuko Ivwurie, after an inspection of the project in November said the committee was disappointed with the Contractor handling the Asaba International Airport, saying,”The contractor is obstinately recalcitrant and the conduct has caused State Government untold embarrassment, setbacks and public opprobrium.”
Hon. Ivwurie said, it is most unfortunate that the Chairman and Managing Director of ULO Consultant Limited, Chief Uche Ukpunor decided to disregard the Committee by sending a representative, Engr. Jerome Adeyemi (Project Manager) and Alli Bugawe, (Assistant Project Manager) of ULO Consultant Limited both of whom could not answer questions put to them by the Committee during the inspection because of their alleged incompetence and lack of knowledge about the performance so far.
