Delta unveils modern soil testing lab soon, demands quality jobs

The Delta governnent is to launch its ultra-modern soil testing laboratory before the end of the year to ease the stress of travelling all the way to neighbouring Edo State for same exercise.

The Commissioner for Works, Chief James Augoye, who dropped the hint during a tour of 12 major road projects in the state, noted that besides a few lapses, he was satisfied with the quality of jobs done by the contractors.

Fielding questions from reporters at the end of the inspection in Ika South and Ika North East local councils, Augoye said: “We have started the process of testing our own laboratory within the premises of the Ministry of Works in Asaba. As soon as we are done with it, we will move all tests to the ministry instead of going to the University to Benin to carry out tests. And I can assure you that by the end of this year, we will get that done, as we have already acquired the equipment.

“Of all the projects we visited today (yesterday), we discovered that the contractors were on site. Aside from a couple of minor observations, the quality of jobs is high.”

He went on: “I must commend them for their efforts, and I also wish to urge them to step up their pace of work to ensure there is a substantial completion of work before the rains come. I have no doubt that the contractors will deliver the jobs on schedule with the pace of work done so far. I am also certain the contractors would deliver on specifications, and in line with the timeline given to them.”

The commissioner assured that the open drains noticed at some construction sites would be substantially covered, while the major drains within the town would remain open.Augoye was accompanied on the visit by the Director of Urban and Regional Roads (North), Mrs. Juliet Aboloje, and others.