From Henrietta Ashikodi, Umuahia
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi while on project inspection in Aba hinted that President Bola Tinubu will visit Abia State on May 23, to among others, commission
the 6.5 kilometre Port Harcourt Road in Aba, rebuilt by the Dr. Alex Otti administration after over 15 years of total abandonment by successive government.
The Minister who spoke while inspecting the damage done at the Osisioma axis of the 56 kilometre Abia Tower of Peace, Umuahia to Rail Flyover, Aba section of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway under reconstruction.
Umahi who was excited that work on Port Harcourt Road, Aba which was left in a dilapidated state over the years, has been completed, and about to be commissioned by Mr. President. He lauded Otti for not only completing the work, but also for the quality job done.
He reiterated that the Governor has done so much for Abia state in two years, that people are wondering where he is getting the money to execute all the projects.
“Abia has now gotten a Governor, look at what he is doing in the state and he is not making noise about it.
“You know Otti is my relation and doing good while in office runs in our veins, so, I’m not surprised at what he is doing, I would have if he is not doing well. So, Mr. President is coming on November 23 to commission that well-built road”.
On the damaged portions of the Expressway which is said to be about two kilometers long, the Minister directed the Controller of Works of the Ministry in Abia, to stop the contractor handling the underground drainage from further work and report to the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja for discussions.
The minister equally promised to meet and discuss with Governor Otti on the best way to get the issue settled.
Umahi further hinted that the Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway which reconstruction started in 2013, will be completed in November this year and will subsequently be commissioned by President Tinubu.
The former governor of Ebonyi state commended Arab Contractors, the firm handling that section of the road for doing good work and promised them that the Federal Government will give the firm more jobs to do.
Speaking also, site manager of Arab Contractors, Mohammed Elyam had told the Minister that work has been completed on the left hand side of the dual carriage way, remaining the right side, which he said will be completed by November and handed over to the Federal Government.
Reacting also, Abia state Controller of Works, ChidiUwaeziozi praised the Minister for coming in person to see things for himself and for his commendation so far on the road.
He told the Minister that formal compliant had been made to the appropriate quarters concerning the damage done on portions of the Expressway by the contractor handling the work.
“This is the third section of the Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway and it is 56 kilometers from Abia Tower in Umuahia to the Rail Flyover in Aba, what is remaining for the road to be completed is roughly 5 kilometers”.
He reiterated that they are trying to make funds available to the contractor so that they can finish the work by September.
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