The Federal Government has fixed the year 2012 for the completion date for the long-awaited East West Road, which runs through the states of the Niger Delta.
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Godsday Orubebe, dropped the hint during the two-day inspection of the level of work done on the four sections of the road on Friday and Saturday.
Orubebe attributed delay in the completion of the crucial road project to militancy in the restive region and the delayed release of funds to the contracting firms handling the project.
He said that with the resolution of the problem of militancy through the Amnesty Programme of the government and the regular release of funds to the contractors, the road would be completed and ready for use in 2012.
He expressed confidence in the ability of the contractors to meet the deadline.
He said, “I think they have the capacity. Remember the last time we came, the major problem was militancy in the area, and then some payment problem; militancy is reasonably resolved as Amnesty came.
“And of course now the ministry of Niger Delta is paying regularly, so the issue of funding doesn’t arise again. There are funds for the road, and so what is left is for the contractors to meet up with the expectations.
In the next two years, by the grace of God, the road should be completed for the people of Niger Delta and Nigerians to use.
The Minister spoke amidst growing anxiety in the region that the contracting firms were delaying work on the road in spite of the cessation of militancy and the taking over of the road from the Ministry of Works by the Niger Delta ministry.
However, some of the indigenes of the host communities to the trans-Niger Delta Road expressed the insincerity of the contracting firms which they accused of mobilising their equipment to site only to deceive the minister.
For instance, the indigenes alleged, in a chat with our correspondent, that Gitto Construzioni, which handles the dualisation of the Eket-Oron Section of the road for N26bn, had been away from the site for over one month and only mobilised to site during the inspection to welcome the minister.
Also, many on the tour said those in charge of the road from the ministry connived with the contracting firms to take the ministers to the few areas where they had done emergency mobilisation of their workers to site.
Meanwhile, the Minister said that the Federal Government would meet with the three contractors, Gitto, Reynolds Construction Company, Ltd, and Setraco Nigeria Limited.
Although, Orubebe did not disclose the agenda for the meeting, he said that the Federal Government would mount pressure on the contractors to increase the level of improvement on the job.
By Fidelis Soriwei - Abuja (Published: The Punch, Monday, 19 Apr 2010)
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Godsday Orubebe, dropped the hint during the two-day inspection of the level of work done on the four sections of the road on Friday and Saturday.
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| Map of Nigeria numerically showing states typically considered part of the Niger Delta region: 1. Abia, 2. Akwa Ibom, 3. Bayelsa, 4. Cross River, 5. Delta, 6. Edo, 7. Imo, 8. Ondo, 9. Rivers |
He said that with the resolution of the problem of militancy through the Amnesty Programme of the government and the regular release of funds to the contractors, the road would be completed and ready for use in 2012.
He expressed confidence in the ability of the contractors to meet the deadline.
He said, “I think they have the capacity. Remember the last time we came, the major problem was militancy in the area, and then some payment problem; militancy is reasonably resolved as Amnesty came.
“And of course now the ministry of Niger Delta is paying regularly, so the issue of funding doesn’t arise again. There are funds for the road, and so what is left is for the contractors to meet up with the expectations.
In the next two years, by the grace of God, the road should be completed for the people of Niger Delta and Nigerians to use.
The Minister spoke amidst growing anxiety in the region that the contracting firms were delaying work on the road in spite of the cessation of militancy and the taking over of the road from the Ministry of Works by the Niger Delta ministry.
However, some of the indigenes of the host communities to the trans-Niger Delta Road expressed the insincerity of the contracting firms which they accused of mobilising their equipment to site only to deceive the minister.
For instance, the indigenes alleged, in a chat with our correspondent, that Gitto Construzioni, which handles the dualisation of the Eket-Oron Section of the road for N26bn, had been away from the site for over one month and only mobilised to site during the inspection to welcome the minister.
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| Niger River Map |
Meanwhile, the Minister said that the Federal Government would meet with the three contractors, Gitto, Reynolds Construction Company, Ltd, and Setraco Nigeria Limited.
Although, Orubebe did not disclose the agenda for the meeting, he said that the Federal Government would mount pressure on the contractors to increase the level of improvement on the job.
By Fidelis Soriwei - Abuja (Published: The Punch, Monday, 19 Apr 2010)
Its about time sth tangible was done and very fast. With credible dividends like this coming the way of the niger delta, i assure you all that the militant attacks in this region will continue to dwindle, ONLY if the government does not renegade on its promises. The more we see done, the less we will fight. A simple word is enuf for the wise...
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