The Delta state government has resolved to take steps towards ending the menace of youths demanding “settlement” before projects can be executed in their communities.
Speaking with DAILY POST, the state Commissioner for Works, Chief James Augoye, said the activities of the youths in the host projects communities have been a major source of worry to the state government, stating that, “these idle youths often harass contractors, disrupt projects execution in their communities, they demand N5, 000 or the contractor will not work”.
He disclosed that a special security committee has been constituted to bring to book any person caught in the act.
The commissioner said that as a result of the activities of the youths, contractors are in most times subjected to inhuman act, and confiscation of their working equipment on their refusal to part with N5, 000 for each of the youths almost on daily basis.
Augoye described the continued extortion among the youths on the contractors handling various project works across the state as criminal and barbaric, stating that recent measures adopted by the state government would help to reduce the excesses.
Disclosing that 208 roads of 866 kilometers have been constructed by the state government from 2015 to 2018, he explained that the figures did not include inherited projects, adding that the sum of N215 billion was expended.
On the construction of Ughelli-Afiesere-Ofuoma road, the commissioner explained that the construction of the 8.5km road will ease difficulties experienced when travelling from the Ughelli area to Isiokolo, Abraka and other communities in that part of the state. This was as he disclosed that the project was awarded to Messrs CCC Nigeria Limited at the contract sum N1,743,871,106,25.
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