From the ongoing situation at the sites of the three flyover bridges in Port Harcourt, it is certain that the Rivers State Government would deliver the three flyover bridges within the scheduled 16 months.
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike and other Nigerian leaders last year flagged off the construction of Rebisi (former Garrison) Flyover Bridge, Rumuogba (former Artillery) Flyover Bridge and Okoro-Nu-Odo (formerly Rumuokoro) Flyover Bridge with a view to resolving the traffic challenges in Nigeria’s oil and gas capital.
Inspection visits to the three project sites, yesterday, revealed that the contractors have finished the preliminary works, while works have been concluded on the substructure of the flyover bridges.
The piers and the abutments have also been completed, alongside the foundations.
The super-structures of the flyover bridges are now coming up, with Port Harcourt residents appreciating the quality of work by the contractors.
Julius Berger Port Harcourt Flyover Bridges Project Manager, Finn Drosdowski assured that the bridges will be completed on schedule and in line with approved specifications.
“Our works are moving on well. At Garrison, we have completed the piling works. Now, we are working on the columns. We are preparing for the pier-heads and beams. The first bridge beams will be placed by the end of February. I am very confident we will finish the first bridge by the end of August or September. I appeal to stakeholders to cooperate with us to deliver the work on schedule. People will enjoy it”, he said.
He said that the right equipment and manpower have been deployed by the company at the three sites of the flyover bridges.
He said: “Here in Artillery, you can see our equipment working hard on the project. We have gone far with the substructure. The piling works are ongoing. We have done approximately 170 piles already. We have more 130 piles to do. After that, we will do the pile caps. We are totally on track to finish the work on time.
“At the Okoro-Nu-Odo Flyover Bridge, we are also working. The piling rigs are here and we are working every day. We started in Garrison, then at Artillery and then at Rumuokoro. I appeal to Rivers people to bear with us, due to the suffering, but the end will be beautiful.”
Residents interviewed thanked the governor for his commitment to developing new infrastructure that will ease traffic flow in the state.
They stated that they were happy that the governor was effectively using their mandate to transform Rivers State.
According to them, the new infrastructure will further improve the economy of the state.
Earlier in January, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike personally met with traders and residents to seek their support for the timely completion of the flyover bridges.
Wike said that though the exercise is painful, all residents must contribute to ensure the flyover bridges are delivered.
“I am here to personally appeal to the people because I feel their pain. But this is a sacrifice everyone must make for the state to move forward.
“To do three flyover bridges the same time is not an easy task. Therefore, we must work hard to achieve the target. The target is that Julius Berger must hand over the three flyover bridges on February 20, 2021,” he said.