UniCem constructs 2 bridges, 88 culverts in Cross River communities

The United Cement Company of Nigeria Limited (UniCem) has constructed over 88 culverts within its host communities and also the Etamkpini Bridge across Etamkpini River and the Great Quo Bridge across the Great Quo River. The areas consist of five communities in Odukpan, new Netim and Etamkpini in Odukpani Local Government Area and Ebereke, Abati in Akamkpa Local Government of Cross River State, as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR).

UniCem has also provided access by providing a 3m road to Ebereke community, a swampy community where children cross with boat to attend school. The 30m lenght Etampkpini Bridge is 62 percent completed.

Mark Aibangbee, evacuation road project manager, said the project that began in September 2010 and was planned to be completed in December 2012, was at the end of that year only 6 percent completed due to large swamp on the right way and inclement weather, which was why it was difficult to complete within the time frame.

According to Olivier Lenoir, managing director of UniCem, the N9 billion cement evacuation road project is the construction of 20km asphalted/concrete paved road to link the two federal roads, the Calabar Oban Road at the UniCem plant in Mfamosing and the Calabar-Ikom Highway at Odukpani, and was conceived by the cement firm to divert traffic.

Lenoir, during a media tour of the line 11 and evacuation projects, disclosed that the project will be supported with infrastructure to cater for the expected traffic increase and reduce the movement of articulated vehicles within the Calabar metropolis when the project was completed.

 

MIKE ABANG