Construction Firm Dismisses Report On Odukpani-Itu Road

Indigenous construction firm, Sermatech Nigeria Limited, has said no section of the stretch of the Odukpani-Itu Road it is working on has collapsed.

The Firm in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP said contrary to a statement by a group, Cross River South Consultative Forum, casting aspersions on the quality of work it was doing, it had a well established track record of excellence.

State Representative of Sermatech, Ento Edako, who made the statement, said it was carrying out palliative works continually to ensure free flow of traffic as it worked on the road.

“Worthy of note is that our project spans through two critical swamps. The Okpokong swamp and the Calabar River swamp. The Okpokong swamp is 5km. This section is fully constructed with pavements work up to binder course layer. Motorists are already enjoying the smooth road. It has survived more than two years now without issues.

“Also active work is ongoing at the Calabar River swamp. The section is actively receiving adequate geothechnical treatment; subsoil drainage to lower the groundwater table, excavation and removal of unsuitable materials, hardcore filling, and sand fill to stabilize the section.

“Out of the 4 bridges in our section , we have fully constructed and completed 2; Atan and Okpokong bridges, respectively.

“The third bridge Ayadeghe, is at the capping beam level, all the precast beams are completed and the two abutment walls are completed. The four existing old bridges have also been rehabilitated to have a new look.”

The firm urged the group to always cross check their facts before going to press so the populace would not be misinformed.

It said, “With over 20 years in construction, we have been able to successfully deliver on our mandate to all clients.

“The group was wrong on so many issues. Sermatech portion of the road is not 50km as purported by this group, but 28km. It is not the only company involved in the project. The portion that was mentioned is not within Sermatech section. This portion spanning Odukpani junction to Power plant area is under the purview of another contractor.

“The number of bridges under Sermatech are 4 not 5 as stated by this group. It has intervened on this portion twice when traffic collapsed to ameliorate the suffering of commuters. This is before Faith Plant went to do their palliatives.

“It should be of great concern for all to note that the particular area of concern is not under Sermatech.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Calabar branch has condemned in totality the information being circulated by the group.

Chairman, NSE Calabar, Engr. Dr. Desmond Ewa, said having conducted several site inspection visits to the project to monitor progress and conformity to standards, the company was doing well and should be commended.