By: Ike Philip Abiagom & Benson Nwoko
Respite is under way for motorists and commuters in Delta State Capital, Asaba, as the Federal Ministry of Works, has commenced repairs of federal roads (Benin-Asaba Express Road)in Delta State.
The palliative work according to the Acting Federal Controller(FC), in charge of Delta State, Engr. Matthew Ogar,is in keeping with the mandate of the Federal Government.
Engr. Ogar who conducted newsmen round some of the affected roads, said the action was aimed at making federal roads in the state accessible. He also said that the intervention was in compliance with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, to make life easy and enjoyable for Nigerians.
According to him, these failed section are primarily due to blocked water channels, resulting in water accumulation on the roadway.
Ogar noted that such problem could be be addressed by actively desilting existing lined drains and constructing additional ones to ensure proper drainage.
Ogar who explained that the repairs and patch works were being executed through contracts, appealed to commuters in the state to be patient with the agency, assuring that other federal roads in the state will also receive attention based on the availability of resources.
According to him, the delays in intervention is usually caused by the bureaucracy involved in approvals concerning those that require contracts.
The State Commission for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr. Charles Aniagwu, was also at the spot to monitor the progress of work. In an interview with Newsbreeze, Mr. Aniagwu said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was worried about the difficulties commuters had faced since the road failed, adding that the state government had constantly interfaced with the relevant Federal authorities on the matter.
The Commissioner revealed that the State Ministry of Works had concluded plans to intervene in the rehabilitation of the failed section before the Federal Ministry of Works , through the Acting Federal Controller of Works in the state, Engr. Matthew Ogar, prevailed on the contractor awarded the job to treat the problem with utmost urgency.
He said government would want to see a lasting respite for users of the road and urged the contractor to mobilize more to be able to quickly fix the road to standard considering the heavy traffic on the highway.
The contractor handling the failed roads, Hartland Civil Engineering Construction Company has mobilized equipment and personnel to the failed section of the Chiedu Oko building materials market axis of the Onitsha- Benin highway, by Ezenei Avenue junction, Asaba.
According to the Project Manager of the Company, Engr. Duke, the flooded lane is currently being bailed, after which rehabilitation work would follow in earnest. The Project Manager assured that within few days the road will be motorable again.
While inspecting the ongoing repairs of the failed road,the Acting Federal Controller in Delta State, Engr. Matthew Ogar,said the ministry is taking advantage of the directive by the Federal Government to ensure that all critically failed sections of the federal roads are fixed as soon as possible. He said the federal Government is not resting on its oars to make federal roads safe and motorable for Nigerians.
