Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, says he has begun moves to rehabilitate some parts of East-West Road in Rivers State.
Wike, who made this remark during a meeting with major stakeholders/investors in Port Harcourt on Saturday, explained that the move was aimed at fast-tracking the development of the state’s economy.
He explained that it was necessary to develop a synergy between the Federal Government, major investors and the state government to repair a portion of the East-West Road linking the Onne Sea Port.
According to him, the portion for immediate repairs will start from Eleme Junction to the Onne Junction on the East-West Road.
Wike, who was able to convince the companies/investors on the need to carry out palliative measures on some portions of the road, described it (road) as impassable and a death trap.
The governor said a comprehensive rehabilitation of the portion of the road would begin while the contractor, Reynolds Construction Company, would be paid 50 per cent of the contract sum expected to be executed in two months.
He said upon the payment of the 50 per cent, the contractor is expected to drive the project to 80 per cent completion before the final payment would be made.
Describing the road to the Onne Sea Port as critical to the effective use of the port by investors across the country, Wike explained that such facility (East-West Road) should not be left to the dictates of official bureaucracy.
He added that under the current arrangement, the existing contractor would still be used to complete the portion of the road to avoid legal complications.
The governor added, “This initiative is aimed at ending the loss of man hours on this very critical road to the sea port and also make this port viable to the economy of Rivers State and Nigeria.
Source: The Punch
