Ohanaeze applauds Federal Government on East-West Road, others
From the Rivers State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo Worldwide,came at the weekend a pat on the back of President Bola Tinubu and his Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.
The association is excited with what it called the innovative, speedy and quality work done at some of the ongoing federal roads in the region.
The group gave kudos to Umahi on the East-West Road, Section III (Eleme Junction – Onne Junction) redesign under reconstruction, the 39-kilometer Bodo – Bonny road with bridges and the Ahoada section of the East-West Road.
The Rivers State chapter President of Ohaneze, Livingstone Wechie, appealed to the minister to sustain the pace of work. He said they were looking forward to the superstructure of the flyovers and the bridges meant for the entire design and total completion in record time.Wechie said: “We are further impressed that the minister is not an armchair minister but a field manager, always on site to ensure that the job is done in compliance with needed standards.
“The completion and commissioning of phase one of the Eleme-Onne section is very inspiring, looking back at the economic and social loss suffered due to its deplorable history.
“Thankfully, this points to the larger phase two knowing the overall importance of that entire stretch as being a most vital route where you have a massive presence of Multinational Oil and Gas players that hold the economy of Nigeria”.
Wechie hailed the Federal Government on the progress of the long anticipated Bodo-Bonny road construction, which he said was more than 80 per cent completed. He described it as key to a robust economic revival for the state and the country.
He said: “It is, however, regrettable that these projects particularly the East-West Road sections was awarded with more than N150billion by the past administration with no significant result on ground.
“They treated that road with spite and ignored the state despite the outcry and in spite of the unprecedented investment worth of that road to the nation and the world.
“While we express our deep appreciation for the foregoing, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Tinubu we believe he has in his wisdom entrusted the Minister of Works with this duty because of his antecedent professional competence beyond the partisan fray for which we impress on him to stop at nothing to evince that tact with a lasting quality assurance for these projects in their final delivery as promised”.
Wechie hailed Rivers communities for cooperating with contractors handling the roads in the state saying their attitude was an indication that the state was peaceful and that the minister institute robust stakeholders’ management.
He said: “We seize this opportunity to appeal to Mr. President to intentionally consider major signature federal infrastructure projects in Rivers state taking cognisance of the highly improved security situation in the state.’’
“The Port Harcourt-Aba Road should be given special attention due to its strategic importance. Roads linking the South-South and Southeast should be reconstructed and expanded for a broader commercial advantage.
Also at the weekend, Umahi frowned at the slow pace of work on the Enugu-Onitsha expressway.
He said the pace of work on the expressway was less encouraging.
It was during inspection of projects.
He urged the contractors to rise to their responsibilities and ensure timely completion of the projects or face sanctions..
In Delta State, he kicked against the ‘low pace of work’ by the contractor handling the Warri-Benni-Asaba road.
He said: “ I am particularly not impressed with the work done by CCECC on the Warri-Benni-Asaba Road, and I expressed concern about the slow pace of work on the Efurun-Sapele section and urged the contractors to intensify their efforts to meet the project’s deadline.
“Timely completion is crucial, and I expect all contractors to work diligently towards achieving this goal”.
He appreciated the synergy between Delta State government and Federal Government on projects ongoing in the state.
“The Delta State Government’s proactive approach in taking over the payment of compensation to affected individuals has been instrumental in fast-tracking these projects.
“I am confident that this collaboration will yield positive results, and I assure the state government that the Federal Ministry of Works will honor its commitments”, he said.
The former Governor of Ebonyi State also inspected ongoing construction of Eke-Obinagu flyover in Enugu State and expressed satisfaction with the progress of work on the project.
