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From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
As part of measures to end perennial pavement failures on East-West Road, the Federal Government is redesigning the inherited ongoing project, using reinforced concrete technology.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, stated this during his visit to the project sites on East West Road section II: Kaiama – Ahoada in Rivers/Bayelsa states; the construction of multiple box culverts at flood damaged locations along the dualisation of East West Road, handled by Messrs Rock Results Nigeria Limited, and the dualisation of East West Road, Section II (sub section II) handled by SETRACO Nigeria Limited.
He said some sections of the East-West Road, starting from Lokoja to Benin, were also re-scoped and re-designed in reinforced concrete, and that the height of the road was increased above the flood level.
According to him, the redesign factored the peculiar environment, geomorphology and soil characteristics, which were responsible for the failures of flexible pavement used over the years by successive administrations.
On the Kaiama-Ahoada section, he said: “When we came on board, the job was already awarded by the past administration. So, the only new thing in all these locations under President Tinubu is the relief culverts that these two local contractors are putting, and they are proving themselves to be of a very high reputation in terms of their works. We are encouraging many more local contractors to come and work, because there’s so much work to do,” he said
Umahi observed that the impact of climate change was largely responsible for the flood that came over the two sections of the road, but commended the two contractors handling the relief culverts for their deep commitment to the intervention work, despite having not been paid.
“So, our directive is that the contractor shouldn’t open more relief culverts. Let us contain the floods by working with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). And I commend the Managing Director (MD) of the NDDC for the fantastic work he is doing,” he said He thanked Rock Results, who also did emergency works, even though it’s outside the scope, and the 29 Battalion with other paramilitary outfits for the management of the traffic, which he said would continue for the next two to four weeks. While seeking for patience on the side of the road users, he assured that a permanent solution was underway as the project was being procured to raise the road above the flood level, while reinforced concrete of 12 inches would be used to do the overlay.
In a statement, the Minister who also visited the KM 15 Section 3A of the East-West Road (from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction) handled by Messrs RCC Nigeria Limited, commended the quality of work being done, but urged the contractor to remobilise, at least, in six sections of the project to ensure timely delivery or be prepared to relinquish the other carriageway for award to another contractor.
“It is a presidential order that this road should be given the maximum attention, and that’s why he asked me to come and look at it, and then give him a report. So, we’re looking at December for project delivery, but certainly, not at the pace that the RCC is going,” he said
While reacting to the statement credited to a clergyman, Buba Isa, on the state of some federal roads, the minister reiterated the commitment of the Renewed Hope administration to fix all the inherited ongoing projects and backlogs of road infrastructure deficits nationwide orchestrated by many years of neglect. While commending President Tinubu for the glaring difference in road infrastructure under his administration, which road users are attesting to, he called for patience and understanding as enduring solutions to road failures had been reinvented by the Renewed Hope administration, and very soon, Nigerians would enjoy sustainable infrastructure delivery.
