The ongoing construction works at different sites of the flyover projects recently embarked on by the Rivers State Government have elicited mixed reactions from the business community and road users in port Harcourt.
Julius Berger Plc, the company executing the projects at the Rumuokoro, Garrison  and Artillery axis of Port Harcourt recently commenced work at the sites and their work has affected both human and vehicular traffic at and around the project sites.
Speaking to The Tide on the project, particularly at the Artillery axis, a business man, who sells building materials in the area, Mr Henry Eleanya described the project as a positive development for the city in long rum and commended the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for his commitment to the development of the state.
He however, lamented the effect of the work, which has resulted in restriction of traffic in the area, is having on his business.
He said that because of lack of human and vehicular traffic, they no longer see customers and hardly sell any of their wares unlike before “we leave our homes in the morning, come to the shop only to look around and most times go home empty handed”, he said.
He called on Julius Berger to expedite action and ensure that the project is completed on schedule or earlier.
Another business person,Mrs Ekuyasemi Jennifer also said that the construction work, which commenced as they were preparing for business in the yuletide season had affected their expectations in the season.
She said that the yuletide season usually see remarkable boost in her food stuff and provision sales, but this season would certainly be different as people have been cut off from the area as a result of the ongoing construction work.
A road user, Comrade Chile Oyo, while commending  the work at Artillery and Garrison observed that the total closure of the major road (Aba Road) had put huge pressure on the surrounding outlets and  his constituted heavy traffic on old Aba Road,the Cocaine Village link Roads, among others.
He also noted that commuters must now pay more than usual and and trek for sine kilometers due to traffic congestion before they get to their destination in the era.
Comrade Oyo urged the rivers state government and contractors to consider doing most of the heavy work that would warranty total closure of the road from dust to dawn to enable business people and commuters go about their businesses with some ease in the morning and day time.
However, it would be recalled that the state government had appealed to residents to bear with it, particularly, the traffic situation in the city expected to last for 16 months, following the massive construction works that are on-going on the said roads.