Delta State Government has expressed concern over the attitude of Traders at the popular Ogbeogonogo Market in Asaba, towards early completion of the multi million naira under Ground Storm Project that passes through the the market to the River Niger.
Commissioner for Works, Highway and Urban Roads, Comrade Reuben Izeze said in an interview that the project is a complex one and that the expected cooperation from the traders were lacking at the site.
The ever busy Ogbeogonogo market, located along Dennis Osadebay Way in Asaba, is the major market in the state capital, with high human traffics on daily basis.
According to the Commissioner, the Under Ground Storm Project is part of the state government’s master plan to rid the capital territory of any form of flooding in the city whenever it rains.
He said it is designed to channel waters flowing from parts of the Okpanam road, Nnebuisi road and Dennis Osadebay way as well as adjoining roads and streets into the river Niger.
Works Commissioner, Highway and Urban Roads, however berated the traders for their uncooperative disposition towards speedy execution of the project as they had refused to take a break to allow the contractor work.
Comrade Izeze explained that the to disabuse the mind of the public of any allegation, stating that so far so good, the contractor is achieving the milestone within time line.
The Commissioner maintained that ordinarily, the traders ought to have temporary vacated the market as remaining there posses a lot of danger, even with the heavy rains, saying that there is a tendency of mudslide in the locality.
Izeze stated that rather than the traders blaming the contractor for being slow in handling the project, the state government is appealing to them to take a break and allow the contractor work as their presence is slowing than the pace of work.
The Commissioner for Works, Highway and Urban Roads, disclosed that the Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori is worried over the development and had called for the understanding of the traders for their own safety.
Stressing the popular saying that states “No Pain, No Gain”, Izeze who acknowledged that the times are hard, pointed out that there is no development that comes without inconvenience.
He said upon the completion of the project, the traders will have a better trading environment and the capital city territory will be completely free from flood menace.
Comrade Izeze disclosed that the project is expected to be completed within two months and restated government’s commitment to providing healthy living environment for Deltans and residents in the state.
The ongoing construction work no doubt had disrupted the volume of commercial activities in the market, which informed the traders to call for speedy completion of the project.
The traders had appealed to the state government to prevail on the contractor handling the under ground water storm sewage to speed up the construction work as slow pace of work was affecting their trades.
While appreciating the project and government good intention to addressing flooding problem in Asaba, the traders alleged that the contractor seems not to have the required capacity for early completion of the project.
They said since the project started patronage have been very minimal due to the hazards created by excavations of the area, stressing that life was becoming unbearable for them.