Niger Delta
Contractor Explains Slow Pace Of work On Eket-Ibeno Road
Four days after youths of the community took to the streets to protest the poor quality and slow pace of work on the Eket-Ibeno road, the management of the construction firm has explained the situation. .
Mr Alimi Oyewole, Project Manager, Fountain Construction Company (FCC), listed the non-appointment of a consultant to pay compensation to property owners affected by the dualisation of the road as one of the reasons.
He said another reason for the slow pace of work were heavy rainfall, which made it difficult for the firm’s workers to work, as well as the re-design of the road from a single lane to a dual carriage way.
Oyewole gave this explanation last Friday in Eket, when our correspondent visited the project site to know why the job had made slow progress.
He said that by the terms of the original contract, his company was expected to only repair and expand the 18km road.
“But when the community demanded for a dual carriage way, the Niger Delta Development Commission yielded to their demands and changed the project to a dual carriage way, and the new design of the road was handed over to FCC in April”.
“The concern and commitment we have for our client and the community immediately spurred us to assume construction work through clearing and excavation and we are making progress, but rainfall is an obstacle to us,” he said.
Oyewole, however, dismissed claims by the community that the company was carrying out substandard work and lacked expertise.
“Everything we do here is according to specification as contained in the bill of quantities approved by the commission and the project consultant.”
“You can see our stock of over 15 new trucks, an asphalt plant and other sundry construction equipment in addition to qualified engineers as site supervisors amongst others.”
“I think the community did not understand us before now.”
“We have met and discussed with them and they have reasoned with us; that is why they removed the traditional injunctions they placed on our gates and we have resumed work in earnest,” he said.
It was learnt that officials of the construction company at the project site office, ran away when protesting youths from the community visited the premises and, have returned to their duty post.
The Project Manager said that since the commencement of work few months ago, work on two major bridges along the road had been executed up to 60 per cent ,while work on the third was progressing.
He said the company was carrying out maintenance work on the existing single lane to make it motorable, while work was progressing on the new lane.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.