…says Uyo Village Road contractor already on site
The Akwa Ibom State Government has assured that the ongoing drainage project, to link the Tabernacle Road and its environs with the PipeJacking Drainage Trough at Itam, is on course and will be completed before the end of the year.
Similarly, the construction work to dualise the Uyo Village Road is underway as the contractor, AMITEC has already been mobilized to site.
Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga, while conducting journalists led by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr Essien Ndueso, around the project location, said his team is effectively monitoring the progress of work on the drainage and road projects to ensure its speedy completion and durability.
Prof. Ibanga noted, “this is a highly technical job and safety is important. It is a bit more difficult because we are battling with climate change and the excessive rains have affected the pace of work. Before we can cast we have to take away the waters and desist the trough.”
“We will have manholes at different points around this area to this underground drainage. Before the end of this month the casting will be completed, and we will start the actual road project.”
Contrary to speculations, Commissioner Ibanga maintained that the project consultant and project Engineers are assigned to every government project and they report to the site each day to ensure the contractor is not found wanting, adding that work has never stopped on the project.
On the Uyo Village Road the Commissioner noted “the contractors have acquired a site for their equipment on the road.
“The projects starts from the junction of Calabar -Itu Road, and stretches to Wellington Bassey Way. It also has two bridges”.
Responding the Contractor handling the project Elder Nsikak Johnny Of Nsik Engineering stressed that the company has the needed equipment, experience and expertise for the project and gone quite far despite the rains.
“Sometimes we work till daybreak pumping out rain water. The consultant working with us is one of the best in the state. We follow strict Engineering instructions and specifications”
The Tabernacle Road project is a major de-flooding work to reclaim the entire area, to provide respite for the some residents in Uyo and Itu local communities.
The actual construction of the 2.2km road project will commence once the 0.97km underground drainage is completed.
During the visit, Commissioner Ibanga admitted the concerns of residents about the poor state of some adjoining roads in the area and assured that the government is studying the roads and would take a decision on more of them soon.
“The important thing for now is how we can handle the flood challenge and rid Tabernacle Road, Nelson Mandela Road, among others of the incessant flooding, so that most people who had migrated from those communities can start returning to their homes”, he added.
