In continuation of the process for the construction of the three flyover bridges in Port Harcourt, officials of Julius Berger Plc and Rivers State Ministry of Works embarked on the demolition of marked structures to create right of way (RoW) for the Rebisi Flyover Bridge (former Garrison).
The officials, backed by earth moving equipment, carefully brought down the structures without causing any damage to the environment.
The demolition exercise started from the Government Craft Centre and Vocational School fence, First Bank through Polaris Bank, in Port Harcourt.
It would be recalled that the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, had last week, met with traders and residents to sensitise them on the necessity of the exercise.
Speaking during the demolition exercise, the state Commissioner for Works, Hon Austin Ben-Chioma,
reiterated Governor Nyesom Wike administration’s commitment to bringing back the Garden City glory of Port Harcourt.
Ben-Chioma expressed regrets at the inconveniences currently being experienced by residents of the state, adding, however, that the end product would be for the good of all.
According to him, “All setbacks experienced now will be appreciated after the completion of these projects”.
The commissioner disclosed that compensation has been paid to the affected property owners.
According to him, “Landlords have long been notified to remove any structure paid for,” adding that “any further delay on the demolition would affect the commencement and completion date of the projects”.
Ben-Chioma said that government was not responsible for the compensation of business owners along the path of the Rebisi Flyover, stressing that Government of Rivers State did not allocate space to people doing business in the area.
“Government is not responsible for the relocation or compensating shop owners, we have dealings with their landlords and whatever is the value of the property affected has been paid to landlords”, he said.
The commissioner also said that efforts were being made to address the issue of traffic congestion experienced at the Okoro nu-Odo roundabout due to the ongoing project, and appealed for patience and understanding.
He said, “We are very much aware of the traffic situation and appeal to everyone plying that route to exercise patience as efforts are made to provide an alternative measure to ease the congestion”.
The construction work continued as the bulldozers brought down the structures that the Rivers State Government had paid compensation for
In an interview, Julius Berger Port Harcourt Flyover Bridges Project Manager, Finn Drosdowski, expressed happiness that the demolition exercise was peaceful and successful.
“We are happy with the peaceful demolition of marked structures to create space for the construction of Rebisi Flyover Bridge.
“We thank officials of the Ministry of Works for their support, and we know we will achieve our target. We have been working for two months, and we have done 12 to 14 per cent of the work. At the beginning, it was a little slow, but we are on track”, he said.
The Julius Berger official said that the projects would be delivered on schedule.
Drosdowski said: “I appeal to the people to cooperate with us. For every project, the people suffer at the beginning, but they will enjoy the project at the end.
“The three locations where we are constructing flyover bridges are places with traffic congestion. After the construction, the issue of traffic congestion would be resolved. I am confident that we will finish the projects on schedule.”