The business community, indigenes, workers, drivers, motorists and market women from across the Nigeria have expressed joy over the completion of the Aleto-Ogale-Ebubu-Eteo road (known as old Bori road) in Eleme local government area of Rivers State that will now serve as an alternative to the East/West road being constructed by the federal government.
The over 11km-road, constructed by the administration of Sir SiminalayiFubara and would be commissioned on Tuesday, reduces travelling time between Port Harcourt and the Ogoni, Ogu/Bolo, Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro axis of the state, and Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
Recall that the East/West road owned by the federal government is presently undergoing reconstruction after being dilapidated for several years, thus causing serious traffic jams and loss of lives and property as recently witnessed in a sad fire incident.
But users of the road are now commending the Rivers State Government led by Governor Fubara for completing the alternative road and making life easy as they go about their daily activities within and outside the state.
A worker at the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT) in Onne, Rivers State, Fidelia Okonkwo stated that since the road was completed, going to work everyday has now become more pleasurable and less damaging to her car.
Okonkwo stressed that “The terrible nature of the East/West road really gave us nightmare and one can now imagine the difference this new road has made. I find it so easy to drive to work now, at a time; I parked my car at home and join public transport to work. I must say kudos to the Rivers State government.”
A driver that plies the Port Harcourt-Ikot Abasi route, IdongesitOkon expressed joy over the alternative route, saying he now spends less hours carrying passengers between Rivers and Akwa States, in addition to spending less fixing his car due to the bad state of the road.
He praised the Rivers State Government for delivering on the road, pointing out that when the governor awarded the contract, they thought it was the usual politician way of doing things but that they were shocked when contractors finished the project.
According to him, “Help us thank the governor, God go bless am, we no believe am when he say him go finish the road but now see as the road dey smooth, we dey enjoy am well well.”
An indigene of Aleto-Eleme, Obarilomate Godwin expressed gratitude to the government, stating that the completion of the road would save the community from perennial flooding, in addition to improved movement along the road.
“I am really happy for this road project, before now, during raining season, the road would become flooded and it will be difficult to move around. But now, we are happy that there won’t be flooding and we can easily move from one point to the other.
“I must admit that Governor Fubara is working hard despite the political distractions in the state; we can only ask that he does more for the people of Eleme, we know that the ring road is coming and the contactor is on site, this is really good, we thank him,” he added.
Mrs Agnes Ogwutum, who sells at the Eleme market, while expressing happiness over the road, saying it enables them to move their goods quickly, called on the state government to quickly finish the ongoing ring road project, saying it will help increase the number of people coming to the market.