The Delta State Government has demoted two serving engineers, Engr. Gabriel Evuarhere and Engr. Samuel Nwokolobia, for issuing certificates of job completion on road projects that were yet to be completed. The demotion was a result of a disciplinary committee’s findings, which deemed the engineers culpable of corruption, dishonesty, and failure to adhere to laid-down procedures.

Engr. Evuarhere was demoted from Deputy Director to Assistant Director, while Engr. Nwokolobia was downgraded from Assistant Director to Chief Engineer. The demotion took effect on January 1, 2024, and their next promotions will be delayed until January 1, 2028, and January 1, 2027, respectively.

According to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, “there would be no sacred cows in the quest to ensure quality projects delivery and value for money for Deltans”. He appealed to the disciplinary committee to temper justice with mercy, commuting the sentence from outright dismissal to reduction in rank. However, he warned that subsequent offenders would face the full wrath of the law.

The governor’s stance on corruption and dishonesty is clear, as he emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in the state’s projects. This move is seen as a step towards ensuring that officials are held accountable for their actions and that the state’s resources are utilized efficiently.