The plight of motorists plying the Eleme Junction Flyover bridge would soon be over as the company handling repair work, Julius Berger Nigeria Limited would conclude work on one lane of the bridge in the next one week.
Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Chief Victor Giadom gave the assurance during a chat with newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Chief Giadom explained that rehabilitation work on the bridge had become necessary to complete some technical aspects not done earlier after the construction company had left the work due to the spate of kidnappings and harassment of their staff at that time.
“ Julius Berger said they were not able to do what they were supposed to do in some aspects of the bridge because there was kidnapping and rainfall, and with that type of situation, some technical work was hurriedly done,’’ Chief Giadom said.
The commissioner explained that the reconstruction work is being done without extra charges on government, as it would help stabilise the bridge and make it more durable and safe.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governmnent has warned all those who are hurriedly erecting illegal structures along the proposed Sakpenwa/Bori/Kono Road to desist since they would not be compensated as a result of the dualisation of the road.
Commissioner for Works, Chief Victor Giadom had during a media chat with newsmen in Port Harcourt issued the warning as he pointed out that government had watched with consternation the rate residents of the area were erecting illegal structures with the aim of seeking for compensation.
He said,” when the state government observed that some people have started erecting illegal structures like shrines, graves, buildings and so forth, the three local government chairmen of Tai, Gokana and Khana were requested to inform their people that the state government will not pay any compensation for such illegal structures’’.
Chief Giadom further noted,” we observed that people were erecting illegal structures like shrines, building or whatever on the right of way of the proposed Sakpenwa Bori/Kono Road to be dualised, we called the chairmen of the three local government areas to tell their people that the state government will not pay any compensation for such emergency and illegal structure’’.
He, however, assured that buildings and other structures erected before the proposal would be compensated, especially those that qualify under such considerations.
The Commissioner reiterated that,” the underlining word is illegal. If they have just illegally started those structures because of compensation, we would not pay. The legal ones existing before this recent development would be compensated for.’’