FG Assures Of More Roads Reconstruction, Rehabilitation
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) at the weekend said federal government is determined to reconstruct and rehabilitate more Trunk ‘A’ roads across the country.
He said the move was in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to make all Nigerian roads motorable and safer for all its users.
Fashola gave the assurance in Efon Alaaye, headquarters of Efon Alaaye local government area of Ekiti State, during his on-the -spot assessment of the on-going rehabilitation works on the Ekiti State portion of the Iwaraja-Erinmo- Efon Alaaye Road.
The minister, who was represented by the Southwest Federal Director of Works, Engineer Emmanuel Adeoye said no efforts will be spared in ensuring that roads across the country are in good condition.
He said:” It is the determination of the federal government to attend and address the state of disrepair which all roads in the state and across the country are. This road is strategic to both Ekiti and Osun states. The Ikole-Ifaki road and several others in the state are being considered for full reconstruction.”
On the ongoing rehabilitation of the Iwaraja-Erinmo-Efon Alaaye road, he said the contract, which was awarded in 2009, was being prosecuted in compliance to the presidency executive order targeted at making all roads across the country motorable.
“The 21.8 kilometers road was awarded to Kopek Construction Limited in 2009. It traverses Osun and Ekiti State from Iwaraja to Efon Alaaye and the 86.6 percent of the work has been done. The paper for the review of the variation in the contract is still being processed for consideration”.
The federal controller of Works in Ekiti State, Engineer, Kehinde Hezekiah and the contractor’s representative, Pascal Harfouch said the job was being done in accordance to design and specifications.
Harfouch regretted that the work was halted since 2011due to unpaid N1billion certification on the contract that worth N3.5 billion as of 2009.
While disclosing that the company has been paid the outstanding money for the job, he however called for the review of the contract as the initial amount cannot meet up with the present economic reality.
The Vice Chairman, Nigeria Society of Engineers in the state, Engineer Olumide Ogundipe commended the federal government for the step taken on this road, saying the contractor has done the work according to specifications.
“They are doing a very good job. It is being done to specifications. It will improve commercial activities in the area and businesses of the people will pick up.”