The Federal Government has revealed plans to utilize advanced reinforced concrete technology to revitalize the long-stalled East-West road project, a vital transportation artery connecting the South-south region of Nigeria.
The Federal Government’s decision follows warnings of impending protests from the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People and former Niger Delta agitators, who have been vocal about their frustration with the long-uncompleted sections of the road.
On Wednesday in Abuja, the Minister of Works, through his spokesperson, Uchenna Orji, issued a statement reaffirming the government’s dedication to preventing future failures on any sections of the road, underscoring their commitment to a durable and long-lasting infrastructure.
He explained that the use of reinforced concrete technology would end pavement failures and years of infrastructural neglect on the highway.
MOSOP, in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Imeabe Saviour, said the non-completion of the road had led to a series of accidents, resulting in loss of lives.
The group earlier in July said, “It is worrisome to mention that despite the substantial revenue generated within the Ogoni ethnic nationality, the stretch of the East-West road in our area has remained in its worst state, dilapidated and a nightmare to travellers and a death trap to the Ogoni people.
“It suffices to state that the East-West road, hyped as completed, still stands as an abandoned project today.”
Umahi over the last weekend, visited sections of the road, including the Kaiama-Ahoada section in Rivers/Bayelsa states, and commended the contractors handling the relief culverts for their commitment to the intervention.
He also lauded the quality of work being done on the kilometre 15 section 3A of the East-West Road.
The minister assured that a permanent solution is underway, with the project being procured to raise the road above the flood level, while reinforced concrete of 12 inches will be used to do the overlay.
“And so our directive is that the contractor shouldn’t open more relief culverts. Let us contain the floods by working with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC),” he added
He also called for tolerance and understanding from commuters, assuring them that the project is on track to meet its December completion deadline.
The government’s decision to reinforce the road is widely regarded as a positive development in bridging the region’s infrastructure gaps.
