-
Property owners demand revocation of RCC’s contract
From Tony John, Port Harcourt
A Hilux van carrying company workers, including a foreigner, plunged into the Okulu River on Monday night while escaping from suspected kidnappers along the Eleme axis of the East-West Road in Rivers State.
Daily Sun gathered that the driver lost control of the vehicle after gunmen attacked the convoy, causing it to skid off the bridge and plunge into the river.
Eyewitnesses on Tuesday said the vehicle and its occupants were still trapped, as rescue teams continued the search.
Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Brian Gokpa, mobilised a rescue team to the scene on Tuesday, with the support of operatives from the Nigerian Navy and other rescue agencies to retrieve the vehicle and its occupants.
Gokpa reiterated his commitment to safeguarding lives and property in the area, vowing to empower more personnel to assist in the ongoing rescue efforts and ensure the perpetrators of the attack are brought to justice.
Professional divers and marine police have also been deployed to the rescue mission, while frantic efforts are being made to recover the victims and vehicle from the river.
Similarly, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, visited the scene with his team. He commended the council chairman for his swift response and for mobilising security forces and rescue teams to address the incident.
Meanwhile, property owners along the Eleme section of East-West Road have expressed concerns about the incident.
In their reaction, members of the group said the recent incident highlighted the unprofessional approach and lack of safety measures by the company handling the reconstruction of the East-West Road.
They condoled with the families of the victims and criticised Reynolds Construction Company’s (RCC) handling of the construction contract.
They pointed out the unprotected nature of the Aleto bridge, which could have been prevented by a professional construction company.
Chairman of the Property Owners on Eleme East-West Road, Joseph Obele, in a statement, said Monday’s accident was one of the reasons for calling for the revocation of RCC’s contract.
Obele said: “The accident led to a vehicle plunging off the dilapidated bridge, and rescue operations are underway. Emergency response teams, including the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency, National Emergency Management Agency, Federal Road Safety Corps, and local police, are working together to conduct rescue operations.
“Furthermore, road users have consistently complained about the hazardous condition of the Aleto bridge, which has been left unprotected for an extended period. Despite these warnings, RCC failed to take necessary measures to address the risks, resulting in this tragic accident.”
The property owners, however, thanked the council chairman for his prompt response to the incident, emphasising the need for immediate safety measures.
They also commended the State Commissioner of Police, Adepoju, for coming to the scene.
“The property owners join the public in calling for the Honourable Minister of Works to revoke RCC’s contract and re-award it to a reputable construction company that prioritises speed and safety.”