Rehabilitation of failed sections on Benin-Asaba highway imminent - Delta Govt ~ Truth Reporters

 

By Andy Emephia.

In what appears to be a huge sigh of relief , to be heaved by commuters around the Ezenei/ Bonsac axis of the failed  portion of the Benin Onitsha highway in Asaba, the Delta State capital, it has been revealed that the contractor handling the rehabilitation works for the entire stretch of the over 100 km road will soon commence remedial work.

This cheering news was made by the Commissioner for Works ( Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr Charles Anuagwu , while responding to concerns raised over the failed Ezenei/Bonsac portion of the highway , during a question and answer session, at the Wednesday October 2nd , Post exco briefing which took place at the Government house, Asaba, press centre.

According to Aniagwu, the contractor , who had already been engaged by the federal government, had attributed the delay in commencement of the remedial works to break down of trucks conveying the heavy duty materials such as quarry stones from the Auchi axis in Edo State , due to the bad nature of the federal roads linking Delta State.

The Rural and Riverine Roads Commissioner clarified that contrary to allegations in some quarters that the Delta State government is insensitive to the plight of commuters along that road corridor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was much concerned over the failed portion of the road and untold hardship being experienced by users , but was constrained to act, as the contract for the rehabilitation of the road from Benin to Onitsha, had already been awarded by the federal government , thus all the state government could do is to appeal to the contractor to commence work on this particular spot which was the worst hit.

He therefore used the opportunity to assure motorists and pedestrians alike , that there will soon be respite, as the contractor had assured the state government , that he had made alternative efforts to bring in the needed materials to site in no distant time.

Earlier while commencing the post exco briefing which touched on approvals made during the state executive council meeting chaired by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the Commissioner for information , Mr Ifeanyi Michael Osuoza, stated that approval was given for the construction of a College of Medical Sciences complex , for the Delta State University of Science and Technology ( DSUST), Ozoro, in lsoko North , while compensation to land owners at the site of the Orerokpe campus of DSUST, that will host the Faculty of Management Sciences, was also approved

The information Commissioner , who outlined a number of road infrastructure approvals such as the 5km Utagba Uno__ Ndemili road in Ndokwa west , said Exco also approved the sponsorship of pilgrims to the Holy land of Jerusalem, but details would be worked out by the relevant agencies of government, in answer to the cost implication of the exercise.

Also lending his voice , the Commissioner for Works in charge of Urban Roads, Hon Reuben lzeze, disclosed that the road projects already awarded were ongoing and at various stages of completion across the three Senatorial districts of the state , while the new ones approved at the ecxo meeting will go through the tenders Board in line with due process before awards will be made and commencement effected.

The Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Nyenrovwo Tonukari, and the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Oborevwori, Sir Festus Ahon, were also present at the post exco briefing.