By Tina Oki
The Commissioner for Works (Urban and Highways), Mr Noel Omodon, has assured that the construction of the 10.43km Boji-Boji/Otolokpo and Umunede/Owa-Alero Roads in Ika North East Local Government Area will be completed and delivered to the State Government in October 2022.
Mr Omodon who gave the assurance yesterday while inspecting the projects, explained that the essence of the roads was to open up all the agrarian communities in that corridor for easy transportation of agricultural produce to the urban markets.
The works commissioner expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace with which the projects are being handled, even as he urged the contracting firms handling the projects to take full advantage of the dry season to expedite action on the roads.
While reiterating government’s desire to completie all ongoing projects before the administration winds down, advised contractors handling projects in his ministry to maintain standards and specifications.
Earlier, the Site Engineer for Messrs Sharpstone Nig Ltd, the contracting firm handling the Boji Boji-Otolokpo Road, Engr John Okonobe, explained that the 10.43km road was awarded in March 2021 adding that the first layer of earth works have been completed on the total length of the road.
According to him, the only challenge faced by the construction firm was insufficient length of drains due to some critical sections of the road where drains are needed to discharge into the borrow pit.
Engr Okonobe however said that an additional three borrow pits have been acquired where the other drains would be discharged into, having exhausted the first three borrow pits.