Delta Electrification Project: Agbi orders contractor to replace refurbished transformers

By Odio ODAFE

The Special Adviser to the Governor of Delta State on Project Monitoring/Audit, Engr. Dr. Goodnews Agbi, has ordered contractor handling electricity re-enforcement project in the state to replace refurbished transformers

Engr. Agbi, gave the order today Wednesday during an inspection visit to Ekuku-Agbor and Environs electrification projects in Ika South, Ika North East and Aniocha South respectively.

Agbi, expresses dissatisfaction over refurbished, below specification and substandard transformers which was installed as against brand new ones that was approved by the state government.

He said the slow paste of the project execution is annoying saying, “the client ministry is here and we have told them to replace all the transformers as soon as possible”.

“According to them there’s light in the substation but light is not distributed to the community, they need to do that very quickly by changing all the transformers, by bringing in new transformers and we will come back and sight it.

“The client ministry is here and when they bring in the new transformers let us know we will all come back and look at it, so that the community can benefit”.

“Government’s intention is to give light to the community, government has provided the funds and the community can not get light, this is not good at all.

“Unfortunately, the contractor is not here but as client ministry, you need to write a letter to the contractor as quick as possible and copy us that they need to replace all the transformers, the seven ones that are refurbished”.

Responding to some of the issues raised representative of the client ministry, Ministry of Energy, Engr. Sam Ojamuna, said the project was awarded in 2023.

Though he assured the Special Adviser and his team of inspectors that on or before four weeks the transformers will be replaced for onward distribution of light to the communities.

Engr. Agbi, frowned at the attitude of the contractor, that for one whole year of project award the community still didn’t have light.

Other projects inspected were the ongoing construction of Odilison E.C Junior Crescent, Ngozi Odiaka Avenue and Odilison Close, Asaba in Oshilmil South Local Government Area which was poorly executed and the contractor was directed to go back to site.

Ongoing Renovation of primary health center main building, construction of perimeter block wall fence with gate house and landscaping of premises of primary health care Boji-Boji Owa, in Ika North East local Government Area which was resulted from complain from community leaders.

Those who accompanied the Special Adviser on the inspection were Engr. Efe Oghale Aluta, Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to the Governor on Project Monitoring/Audit, Pastor Kenneth Otuya, Senior Special Assistant, SSA, Engr. Kenneth Isibor, Senior Special Assistant, SSA, Dr. Victor Ikere, Senior Special Assistant, SSA and Engr. Yebu Ladina, Directorate Engineer.