Federal Government has called on Hartland Nigeria Limited handling the reconstruction of Umuahia-Ikot Ekpen Federal road to ensure that the failed portions are given attention to guarantee easy movements before the raining season sets in.
The member representing Ikwuano Umuahia federal constituency, Honourable Sam Onuigbo made the call while interacting with newsmen when inspecting the level of work within Ndoro Okwe portion of the dilapidated road.
Rep Sam Onuigbo
Recall that the Federal Government first awarded the 50km job at the cost of N13.2 billion to the company in 2019 but the job was stalled by the paucity of fund. But in 2021, the Federal Executive Council re-approved the project for funding by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) through the Road Tax Credit Scheme.
Onuigbo who expressed happiness that work has started, promised to make contacts to higher management of the company to address the bad portions without wasting time, as well tasked them to maintain the speed they have demonstrated so far.
His words, “When they started till now, there are signs that they are moving well, and I want them to sustain the speed, I don’t want the rains to meet them before they fix the failed sections before the final phase of reconstruction”.
When asked why FG released only 5 percent of the total cost of the contract, “Onuigbo explained that the federal government approved the job on NNPC road task credit scheme, then means the money has been set aside, there is no cause for alarm in his assessment, even do I am not a member of NNPC or the construction company, but I think from what is on ground, the way government wants to approach this and the speed in which the construction company has come back, I have no doubt, we will be able to achieve good result at the end of the day”.
Earlier, the road supervisor, Hartland company limited, Ibrahim Najjar disclosed that the typical weight of the road from shoulder to shoulder with side drains is 12.8 metres, made of two shoulders each is 2.75 metre with the carriage way of 7.3, 7.4 metres.
Ibrahim Najjar
Najjar added that they have been on site for four days and promised to work according to specifications of the job.
