For fear that ex-convicted former governor of Delta state, James Ibori will work against his second tenure come 2019, incumbent governor, Ifeanyi Okowa who had earlier announced his discontinuation of the N20 billion abandoned controversial Independent Power Plant (IPP) project in Oghara, Ethiope West local government area of the state has made a U-turn.
Mr. Okowa, who has never hid his discontent on the project which was awarded in 2010 by former governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, had in May told a town hall meeting in Oghara, with ex-governor Ibori in attendance, that the multi-billion naira project would gulp another N200billion before it could come on stream, stressing that with the economic realities in the country, it would be difficult for the state to continue with the IPP project.
“We have to study the project, if I tell you that it will be functional during my administration, I will be telling you lies, a lot have been done, we have done the calculation but it is obvious that we cannot execute the project as a state for now because the project will gulp over N200 billion.” Okowa had stated.
But surprisedly, following Ibori’s dissatisfaction over Okowa’s unilateral dissolution of the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, (DSIEC), and the sales of the state owned transport service, Delta Line, Okowa made a U-turn Monday and mobilised government and Access Bank officials on the spot inspection of the project with a view to commence work.
Leading a government delegation and officials of Access Bank on an inspection of the abandoned IPP project Monday to the bank ascertain the level of work done and have insight of the project, Commissioner for Finance, David Edevbie, noted that Governor Okowa had decided to set up the committee to look into the project and come up with a workable means of executing the project.
Edevbie, who is the chairman of the committee set up by the governor, also said they were at the project site for the officials of the Bank to have an overview of the project, adding the state government may either partner or borrow money from the Bank to execute the project, assuring that his committee will do justice to the project.
“The committee will either advise the state government to embark on borrowing or seek for Public-Private partnership to ensure that the project was completed. I am not sure if government insured the equipment, the present administration will also investigate the sum paid to contractors so far, with the view of either revoking the contract or order contractor back to site.” Edevbie said.
It would be recalled that, the contracting firm, DavNotch handling the multi-billion contract, has threatened to sue governor Okowa and the state government should he fail to pay all outstanding debts to the tune of N80 billion been owed DavNotch company before selling or re-awarding the contract.
A former commissioner and close source to former governor Ibori revealed that Mr. Okowa decided to embark on processes “to commence work on the abandoned project just to appeased “Odidigboigbo of Africa” to secure his second tenure come 2019. But just watch at the last minute, Ibori will disappoint Okowa. I know Ibori very well.” the source said.
