Users of the Port Harcourt-Aba expressway have urged the federal government to re-award the contract for the reconstruction of the road to a reputable firm with a proven track record, following its termination.
The users spoke with LEADERSHIP yesterday at Obehie Junction and Imo Gate on the road in Ukwa West Local Government Area, following the government’s termination of the contract earlier this week.
According to them, they could not understand why the firm failed to deliver a quality job that met the expectations of both the federal government and road users.
They commended the government and the minister for what they described as a bold and timely move, saying the previous delay had further worsened the deplorable condition of the road.
“We can’t thank them enough for the bold and decisive action taken not only to see the job done but also to save us from the agony of the dilapidation,” said one of them.
Similarly, an indigene of the area and a commercial cyclist, while lamenting the state of the road, noted that it was a pity that “the oil-bearing area of the state is undergoing this agony.”
The users, including those from Aba, Port Harcourt, and residents of the area, stressed that the re-award of the contract should be done as soon as possible, given the urgency of the work.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, had announced the termination of the 43-kilometre project, which was being handled by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), over poor performance, saying it was on the verge of total collapse.
“This job, 43 kilometres from Port Harcourt to Aba, is an inherited project, and since we came on board, we have been doing everything, putting funds to see how we can finish one carriageway,” Umahi explained.
He, therefore, assured that he would issue directives to scout for qualified indigenous contractors to handle the inherited project.
“They should be the contractors starting work immediately, so why should we source funds for them?” the former governor of Ebonyi State added.
