Delta State to sanction contractor over 7-year delay at Irri Technical College

 …”It’s a shame,” says Oborevwori

​Sheriff Oborevwori, Delta State Governor, on Monday expressed deep shock upon discovering that the multi-billion naira Irri Technical College project in Isoko South Local Government Area remains uncompleted seven years after the contract was awarded.

​The governor expressed strong displeasure over the slow pace of work, describing the prolonged delay as entirely unacceptable. The project was initiated in 2019 under the immediate past administration led by former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to provide vital technical and vocational education for local youths.

​Years later, the infrastructure remains unfinished, contrasting sharply with similar technical colleges across other parts of Delta State that have already been completed and commissioned into operation.

​Community demands answers over stalled educational infrastructure
​Before the governor’s visit, the people of Isoko had frequently raised concerns regarding the stagnant state of the institution, especially as contemporaneous state projects had reached completion. Local stakeholders demanded clarity on whether funding constraints or contractual disputes were stalling progress, urging the incumbent governor to intervene directly.

​Community leaders lamented that the ongoing delay continues to deny local youths the economic and educational opportunities promised at the project’s inception. Consequently, they requested a transparent timeline for the completion and ultimate commissioning of the campus.

​Responding to these grievances, Governor Oborevwori paid an unscheduled inspection visit to the site on Monday to personally assess the situation.

​Inspection reveals abandoned site and unrealistic completion targets

Upon arrival, the governor was received by Warri Ovoke, Chairman of the Isoko South Local Government Council; Simon Odhomo, the Odio-Ologbo of Irri Kingdom; and Iduh Amadhe, former President-General of the Isoko Development Union (IDU). Following the tour, Governor Oborevwori stated that the contractor had failed to demonstrate sufficient competence or commitment to deliver the facility.

​Speaking to journalists after the inspection, the governor dismissed assurances that the project would be ready by August this year, noting that critical phases of construction had not even commenced.

​”I spoke with the commissioner and he told me he had reached out to the contractor, who said the project would be completed by August. But from what I have seen here, I am not sure that timeline is realistic,” said the governor.

​Executive summons issued to contractor and project consultant

The governor pointed out that construction on the primary workshop had yet to begin, landscaping remained untouched, and sections of the roofing were visibly incomplete. He noted a stark discrepancy between the finished appearance of the building fronts and the neglected state of the rear structures.

​”I am not satisfied with what I have seen. The project was awarded in 2019, and it is a shame that after seven years it is still not completed. The question is, what is holding the contractor back?” Governor Oborevwori questioned, adding that the total absence of workers on-site during a working day was telling.

​The governor announced that he would formally summon both the contractor and the project consultant to account for the backlog. He attributed the failure to poor oversight, expressing disappointment that the school would no longer be able to admit its pioneer intake this September as originally planned.

​Reiterating his administration’s stance, Governor Oborevwori stressed that contractors handling public projects must deliver quality work within agreed timelines, warning that project abandonment would no longer be tolerated by the state government.