Engr. Umahi
•Says, Project Gulping N156bn
By Maureen Dick
MINISTER of Works, Dave Umahi, has declared that the East-West road undergoing reconstruction would last over 50 to 100 years without maintenance after completion.
He disclosed that the road project is gulping N156 billion, explaining that the Eket-bound, is 15 kilometres by 15.2 metres wide, and is about four lanes, is designed on reinforced concrete pavement.
The minister stated this during his ninth visit to inspect the ongoing project on Eleme section of the East-West road in Rivers State on Wednesday.
He told newsmen that the road project is very important to President Bola Tinubu because of the economic value of Rivers State to the country.
Umahi said: “This has been my ninth visit on this project because of how important this project is to Mr. President.
“This project is within very serious economic corridor of the nation, Nigeria. We have a lot of facilities here – the Indorama Petrochemicals, refinery, wharf and a lot of other companies. So, this is very important and I am very happy with the quality of work being done.”
The minister said he has directed the contractor handling the project, Reynolds Construction Company (RCC), to speed up the job as the Eket-bound carriage-way would be opened for public use in 10 days.
He added that the entire stretch of the road (the Port-Harcourt and Eket-bound carriage ways would be completed in December, 2025.
Umahi stated: “We have directed the contractor wrap up this carriage way because it is selected for commissioning by the next 10 days. They (contractor) have to do that day and night based on what the Comptroller said.
“I am very confident they will achieve it. I am very happy with the outcome of this road. It wasn’t easy. But, with the determination of the President, the outcome is excellent. And the project, it is quality; durability, it is going to last over 50 to 100 years without maintenance. So, I commend the president very highly. He is a man of great courage.
“He (President Tinubu) is constructing roads. Before now, Nigeria was building road. But, today, the president is constructing roads
Explaining on the project work, the minister added that areas earmarked for bridges and flyovers were isolated from the work and would be re-engaged during dry season.
He revealed: “The total value of the project is N156 billion and it is 30 kilometres by four lanes. The road has solar light. We are going to inject CCTV and we are going to put a tolling point and relief parks, so that people don’t park on the road again. The road is going to be a beauty on earth when we finish. We are going to finish it: by December, the entire stretch would be completed.
“So, Mr. President can elect to commission this carriage way now as we are doing in all our projects within the six geopolitical zones. The ones we have completed substantially we commission.”
Meanwhile, the Comptroller of Works in South-South, Tarilade Enweareama, expressed confidence that the road would be completed in 10 days.
She said: “We made a promise sometime ago, that this section of the road, this carriage way would be completed and opened to members of the public. That has been fulfilled.
“As it is, what is left here is about 60 metres and in two days time, this way would be opened to the public. You can see how wide it is. This is 15.25 metres and it is wide enough for ongoing and outgoing traffic to use it while we move over to the other carriage way.
“We are keeping to our programme. This other side of the road ( the right carriage way or Eket-bound) would be in December this year. The left carriage way is Port Harcourt-bound.
“But, for now that we are diverting to the other lane, we are going to make sure that this the lane, both Eket and Port Harcourt-bound traffic will use this carriage way.”
She disclosed that the Ministry of Works did not compromise on quality of the job done, adding that the road was done with high standard.
“This road as it is, is going to stay for about 50 to 100 years.”