The Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola has challenged the contracting firm handling the rehabilitation of Umunya/Amawbia axis of Onitsha/Enugu expressway to step up action on the work.
Fashola gave the directive during the inspection visit of the project site at Umunya, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra at the weekend.
Represented by Yemi Oguntominiyi, director, Federal Highway in the Ministry, Fashola said he was impressed with the quality of the work, but stressed the need for faster action.
“When the minister visited this site last February, the construction company assured him that before the rains set in that they would complete 18 kilometers Enugu-bound of the Umunya/Amawbia axis.
“Though the quality of the work I have seen is okay, with all the machines and workers, let faster action be seen on this project.President Buhari attaches importance to this road. It’s a critical project not only for the South East but the entire country; that is why the President wants it completed on schedule,” he said.
According to him, “Considering the much the contractor has been mobilised with and the equipment on site, we are optimistic that the work would be completed as planned.”
Fashola said that the project was very important to the Federal Government given the fact that the road connects many states in South-East and the north.
Recall that the project awarded to RCC in November 2018 at the cost of N21.1 billion has 42 months completion period.
Adeyemo Ajani, controller, Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing, Anambra, said his officials regularly visit the site, noting that all the challenges raised by the firm have been addressed.
Ajani said that four kilometres out of 18km of the road have been completed.
Igor Zavodtohik, chief engineer, RCC Construction Company Nigeria, said they have completed asphalting of Umunya/Awkuzu axis of the project.
He assured that the project would be delivered in line with the agreement with government.
Emmanuel Ndukuba, Awka
