-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) -By Sylvester ILOBA:

THE Chairman, Delta State Investments Development Agency (DIDA), Mr. Paul Nmah, has expressed joy over the commencement of work at the Delfrasco Tower Manufacturing and Testing Facility Issele-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The DIDA Chairman stated this when he paid an unscheduled visit to the Project Site on Km 25, Asaba-Benin Express-way in the locality.

According to him it was expected that work ought to have commenced in earnest after the ground breaking ceremony but that some hindrances came up that had to be addressed.

From left Mr. Paul Nmah, Chairman DIDA, Mr. Peter Okolie, DELFRASCO Special Project Director and others during the inspection of the DELFRASCO project site at Issele-Uku

“You will recall that His Excellency Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa graciously approved the establishment of a Power Transmission Tower Manufacturing, Testing, Industrial Fabrication and Hot Dip Galvanizing Plant, Training and Research Facility at Issele of which he had performed the ground breaking ceremony early this year.

“Work ought to have commenced immediately in accordance with the work schedule and timeline but some delays came up in the aspects of settlement of the Issele-Uku Community and then the rains set in. However, the project has commenced and we are here witnessing the clearing of the site.” Mr. Nmah said.

Speaking on Project Implementation deliverables, the DIDA Chairman said that tentatively a three months’ time frame had been scheduled for the site clearing, perimeter fencing, soil treatment and ramming the ground, awaiting the arrival of equipment.

Mr. Nmah however noted that the grey areas of land encroachment would be immediately resolved so that the project would be completed as planned.

He commended His Excellency Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for supporting the Project.

“His Excellency, the Governor has de-risked the project and the major equity inputs by the Delta State Government had been fulfilled.” he said.

The Delfrasco Special Project Director, Mr. Peter Okolie on his part equally expressed enthusiasm over meeting up with the Project timeline which according to him effectively commenced at the end of the first half of the year.

“The Work Plan effectively started within the last week in June, though we had expected it to commence earlier than that but due to one or two administrative challenges the work plan finally took effect from the last week in the month of June.

“In the next three months our programme is that we should be able to complete the clearing of the site, the soil treatment, ramming of the soil, the protective aspect of the entire site and then prepare for the equipment to come in. If you look at the soil now, you will see that it is soft. So it has to be treated and made strong so that heavy duty trucks can make delivery to the site.” said Okolie.

He said that mapping of the area also has to be done within the three months plan that started from July and will end in September this year.

Mr. Okolie further emphasized that in order to expedite action on the Project which is a public private partnership initiative between Enfrasco Ltd and the Delta State Government, His Excellency Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa had ensured that the equity contribution of Delta State like the provision of land with Certificate of Occupancy and part financial contribution had been met, noting that the tripartite relationship among the Enfrasco Ltd, Delta State Government and the Issele-Uku Community had been cordial so far.

He however called on the Obi of Issele- Uku, His Royal Majesty, Agbogidi Obi Nduka Ezeagwuna II to continue to educate his people on the need to support the Project in order to ensure its success.

Mr. Okolie said that he is hopeful that going by the Project Work Plan, His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa shall inaugurate the Project by 2023.

Speaking earlier the Issele-Uku Youth National President, Mr. Onyisi Mokogwu who is an Engineer said that the youths are on ground at the site to make sure that work is going on smoothly.

He expressed his happiness that such a project was located in Issele-Uku which he said will be beneficial to all concerned.

Mr. Mokogwu said they were impressed with what is going on and prayed that God should continue to guide and guard everybody.

He further emphasized that the Issele-Uku Youth body is in support of the project and promised to resolve any issue that may undermine the success of the project whenever such arose.

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