ETIM EFFIONG
The Federal Government on Monday assured the people of Akwa Ibom and Cross River states that it would complete the Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene highway before the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.
Mr Folorunsho Esan, Director, Federal Highways Construction and Rehabilitation, Federal Ministry of Works stated this after the inspection of the road project.
Esan said with the release of N600 billion tax credit from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for the construction of 21 roads across the country, Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene is scheduled for completion accordingly.
“The funding for this project is available now, from the inspection you can see that contractors are on-site like Julius Berger and SERMATECH Nig. Ltd construction company. They are on-site and are already working,” he said.
He assured that with the release of the funds, users of the road would reduce travelling time from eight hours when the road was deplorable to two hours after dualisation.
“We want to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for the efforts he made in securing special funds to be released for the dualisation of this road,” he said.
The Federal Controller of Works in Akwa Ibom, Mr Gabriel Kayode, said there was a strong commitment from the government to ensure the completion of all ongoing projects in the state.
Kayode said apart from the Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene highway, Oron to Eket section 4 of the East-West Road the project is about 95 per cent complete, the contractors are on-site and they are working.
“Out of 12.2km Odukpani – Itu – Ikot Ekpene section they have done 2. 5km up to binders, wearing course, like drainage is being completed and CCECC they are waiting for their mobilisation and as soon as they collect their money they will be on-site and commence work immediately.
“Right now, we are in section 3 this is one of the bridges and the contractor is on-site and as soon as possible they will complete the work. The work done so far, from the level of supervision is excellent,” he said.
The Project Manager of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), Mr Michael Cheng said as soon as mobilisation is given the company will commence construction work.
Cheng said CCECC has the capacity to complete the construction of the road within record time.
