East – West Road: Buhari, Akpabio lauded for mending Nkpolu-Rumuigbo portion

*Niger Delta minister urged to fix portion across Bayelsa

Tunde Opalana, Abuja

Both President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio have been applauded for the repair of the Nkpolu-Rumuigbo portion of the East – West Road passing through Rivers State.

This, however, has spurred the people of Bayelsa State to plead with the Niger Delta Affairs ministry to fix part of the road that cut across the state.

A statement on Sunday by the Special Adviser, Media to the minister, Jackson Udom said there have been several protests by civil society organisations and youths in Nkpolu-Rumuigbo and adjoining communities to draw the attention of the government to the bad portion of Nkpolu-Rumuigbo junction.

He said the new look Nkpolu-Rumuigbo junction on the East – West Road pass is in Obio-Akpor Local Government area of Rivers State has been perennially flooded spot before the repair.

The road which has caused serious economic, social and environmental issues that also affected the owners of businesses and properties within the area over the years was fixed by SETRACO construction firm under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

According to the statement ,a Chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Wenenda Kingsley Wali, said “Senator Godswill Akpabio has redeemed himself by complimenting the Governor Nyesom Wike’s Flyover revolution. I literally cruise to the city centre via the Okoro-No-Odonu flyover because of the Flyover and Nkpolu junction repair.

“The completion of the Nkpolu junction remedial works is worthy of celebration. This is in addition to the completion of the Tank junction repair works.

“For those who travel the Port Harcourt – Warri route, you must be celebrating the renewed energy by SETRACO on that route”.

He called on the minister to extend the repair project to the portion of the road that pass through Bayelsa State.

The party chieftain said ” I’ll use this opportunity to appeal to Sen. Godswill Akpabio to help and wipe the tears of Bayelsans. Their area needs attention too.”

“The next stop is the Eleme junction-Onne junction reconstruction. This will be a landmark achievement and history will never forget. Eleme-Onne route is in a bad state, but from the experience of Nkpolu and Tank junctions, I believe that in the end, the people who ply that route will also smile.”

Another resident, Ms Obiaruko Ndukwe, who heads Citizen’s Quest Initiative, a nongovernmental organization while commending the repair said “at the Initiative, we are happy to be part of this success story and the milestone achieved despite criticisms that trailed it.”

She thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and Hon. Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio and other stakeholders who ensured that the bad spot was fixed.

The statement reeled out past efforts at fixing the bad road but which were fruitless.

“The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in 2009 awarded the construction of sections I and II of the East-West Road to SETRACO Construction Company at a construction cost of N74.7 billion.

“However, under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, the cost was increased to N133.7 billion. The failed Nkpolu-Rumuigbo junction is located in section ll subsection l of the East-West Road.

“According to a report from SETRACO, the road was in perfect condition before handing it over to its client; the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs over five (5) years ago. The road began to fail due to improper drainage in channelling rainwater. In other words, there was no adequate drainage system on both sides of the road.

“At the heat of the protests, SETRACO Construction Company, the Contractor handling the road pointed out that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs was aware that the cause of the problem was a building that was blocking a major culvert and waterway from the Nkpolu-Rumuigbo junction.

“SETRACO then recommended that the owner of the property be paid compensation, and the building brought down to give way for the construction of high-wall concrete drainage.

“However, if compensation for the owner of the building could not be achieved, SETRACO has also recommended the construction of a 2-kilometre drainage. This drain would link to another water outlet around the area.

“It was discovered that the second option to the challenge was adopted by the civil engineers and stakeholders, especially members of the immediate community. Underground drainages were constructed linking the drains to natural waterways and nearby canals.

“The unfortunate situation outlived several administrations that paid lip service to the poor state of several failed and uncompleted portions of the East-West road”.