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RSG Approves N12.4bn Contract For Two More Flyovers
The Rivers State Executive Council has approved the award of two contracts for the construction of two additional flyover bridges in Port Harcourt City at the cost of N12.4billion.
One of the flyover bridges would be at the intersection of Olu-Obasanjo Road and Port Harcourt Aba Expressway, popularly called “Waterlines Junction”, and it would be 800 meters long.
The other flyover bridge would be at the intersection of Olu-Obasanjo and Ikwerre Road up to the Azikiwe Street and would be 1km long.
The Rivers State Executive Council gave the approval at its meeting, presided over by Governor Nyesom Wike at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
The Commissioner for Works, Hon Elloka Tasie-Amadi, who briefed journalists after the meeting, said the approval was sequel to two memos his ministry presented to the council on the need for the construction of the flyovers.
“The memos were approved and consequently the Government of Rivers State will be awarding two contracts to the Julius Berger Nigeria PLC for the construction of two flyovers.
“One of them will be at the intersection of Olu-Obasanjo Road on Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway. That bridge will be about 800 meters long.
“The other flyover bridge will be constructed at the intersection of Ikwerre Road where you have Olu-Obasanjo and Azikiwe Street and it will be I km long. Both projects will come at a combined cost of about N12.4billion.”
The works commissioners said the construction of the flyover bridges became necessary because of present and foreseeable traffic difficulties that motorist will suffer.
Tasie-Amadi said it was already observed that the flow of vehicles from the soon-to-be completed GRA flyover and the Rebisi flyover gets into lockjams at the Waterlines Junction on Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway, but the flyover will be a solution.
“At the Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway intersection (Waterlines Junction) of Olu-Obasanjo Road, we observed that with the construction of Rebisi Flyover and the soon-to-be completed GRA flyover and Rumuola flyover, you’ll have a lot of traffic between those two points.
“Consequently, we will have a bottleneck at that junction of Port Harcourt-Aba Road Expressway and Olu-Obasanjo Road which we call Waterlines junction. So, we proposed that to take care of that problem.
“This is aside from the fact that we have a lot of urban migration and higher vehicular activities in Port Harcourt.
“For the flyover that will be located at the intersection of Olu-Obasanjo Road, Ikwerre Road and Azikiwe Street, we also observed that the reconstruction going on Ikwerre Road and the higher number of vehicles and traffic jams observed over the years will get worse. So, we thought it wise to construct a flyover now.”
The commissioner stated that when these projects are done, they would ease commute and ultimately reduce the stress to citizens and the cost of transportation.
Similarly, Commissioner for information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, said the approval for the two additional flyovers was historic, and has given further impetus to the urban renewal programme of the Wike-led administration.
He said the administration of Wike was forward looking in designing projects that would make Rivers State the destination of choice for prospective investors.
“His Excellency is the architect of the New Rivers Vision. He is unrelenting in designing these projects that will make Rivers State the destination of choice by putting the right infrastructure is put in place for our people and those who live and do business here.”
He explained that the administration was sending signals to investors to see that Rivers State is set and opened for business.
According to him, those who want to go about their normal business in Rivers State are assured of the right economic climate, and the right infrastructure.
“The governor of Rivers State is desirous to make Rivers State a model of development, of infrastructure and economic prosperity. And today’s landmark decision by the State Executive Council underscores that point. That Rivers State is investors’ destination of choice.”
He further announced that beginning from March 1, the state government would commence another phase of commissioning of more projects that cut across road infrastructure, health, sport and education.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.