By Jonathan Ugbal
The Niger Delta Development Commission has commenced the rehabilitation of the Calabar – Itu road following months of complaints by motorists plying the route.
CrossRiverWatch took a tour of the road Saturday and spoke with motorists at different sections of the road with findings revealing that work stepped up after the visit of the Managing Director of the NDDC, Ibim Seminatari visited two weeks ago.
Zenith Construction limited which handled the rehabilitation of the Tinapa junction to Odukpani junction of the road have achieved 90 percent completion a supervisor in the company told this reporter on condition of anonymity.
“The bad portions have been rehabilitated and as you can see we are almost done with the pouring of asphalt on the last section here” he said.
A motorist who simply gave his name as Lawrence said that: “I thank God that they are working on the road. We use to use (sic) 5 minutes from Tinapa junction to Odukpani but it became 1 hr since Ayade and Buhari come office but they have done well now.”
At Okoyong and the NIPP plant axis of the road up to Itu handled by 3E Basse engineering company, work is ongoing with the company dividing its staff into different units to fast track the completion process.
A staff who simply gave his name as Denis said that “At this pace, we will complete the project on time if the government releases money on time. However, work is going on smoothly.”
Several motorists who spoke to CrossRiverWatch expressed mixed feelings over the rehabilitation exercise.
“It is a good one from the government of change even though they have not finished work which you journalists do not talk about until they come to deceive us that they have awarded contract again” said Mfon Stanley who was travelling to Ikot Ekpene.
For Edem, another motorist; “It is a laudable project and I hear they want to dualize it but of course we know Naija, when they are getting one thing right, we begin to brag and talk of building anything anywhere.”
“CrossRiverWatch, Mbok at least the road is passable now” screamed a transit company driver who spotted this reporter in CrossRiverWatch kit while navigating through a spot that was been worked on.
Continuing, he said that; “Abeg no snap me ooo tell Ayade say mek him do dey road well because…” and became inaudible but kept waving.
The Niger Delta minister, Usani Usani on Friday disclosed that the design for the dualization of the Calabar – Itu and Calabar – Ikom highways were at advanced stage and construction work will begin shortly after the contracts are signed.