News
East-West Road: Motorists Flay FG For Slow Work Pace
The Ahoada-Mbiama axis of the East-West Road has now become a nightmare to road users following the collapse of that section of the ever-busy road that connects all the states of South-South geo-political zone with the western and northern parts of the country.
The Tide learnt that motorists now spend four to six hours on that part of the road, the worst day being Tuesdays, when the weekly market day of Mbiama community takes place.
Consequently, commuters who trek several metres and those sweating furiously inside their vehicles have continued to criticise the Federal Government, particularly the Ministry of Niger Delta and SETRACO, the construction firm handling the road, on daily basis for delaying their journey and occasioned by the non-completion of the project which has now lasted about eight years.
Many road users believe that SETRACO has no capacity to handle the road, with its difficult terrain and swampy nature from Ahoada in Rivers State and to Warri in Delta State.
The road has many rivers such as Orashi, Forcados, Nun, Niger and their tributaries.
A motorist, Johnson Alabi blamed the Federal Government for the delay, saying that the job could have been split among many competent construction companies with more sophisticated equipment.
Opara Obed, an indigene of Eluma community, said it would be an albatross for Jonathan’s bid for 2015, if the road was not completed, saying, the people of Niger Delta would not accept any excuse for not completing the project.
An official of SETRACO, when approached for comment, said “you can see the works we are doing. We are trying to fix the bad spots on the old lane even though that is not part of our contract agreement.”
“I am not the person who is supposed to talk to you, but why can’t you praise us for trying to maintain the old lane. We are not the cause for the slow traffic flow, the impatient drivers should be blamed”, the SETRACO man who refused to give his name, said.
However, like every situation, hawkers are making brisk business on the road, and would want the long queue to continue.
Items such as satchel water, roasted snails, bottled water, minerals, banana, and fruits, among others are now freely sold on the road, with most hawkers making huge profit from their sales.
A hawker, Blessing Okeke, said she used to make between N3,000 to N4,000 a day, but now he could smile home with up N10,000.
Asked if she doesn’t suffer any sickness as a result of the difficult marshy road; she simply laughed, saying “if I stay at home, you go give me money”.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
News
We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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