…deplorable Uyo village road set for dualisation.
By Emmanuel Abi Couson
The over 12 meter deep Tabernacle Underground drainage project running across the Calabar itu highway connecting the pipe jacking trough system will be ready by December 2024.
The Akwa ibom state commissioner for works and fire service Prof .Eno Ibanga confirmed this in an interaction with Journalists led by Dr. Essien Ndueso Senior Special Assistant to governor on Research and Documentation after on the spot assessment of the project.
Ibanga who was accompanied by consultant engineers and project managers from his ministry mandated the contractors Nsik Engineering Ltd to do everything possible to ensure the delivery of the project by December to enable free flow of traffic along the ever busy calabar-itu highway affected by the project.
In the same vein, the construction work to dualise the deplorable Uyo Village Road is underway as the contractor, AMITEC has already been mobilized to site to start work immediately.
. Prof. Eno Ibanga who said his team is effectively monitoring the progress of work on the drainage and road projects to ensure its speedy completion and durability appealed to residents of the area and road users to be a little more patience with the government.
Prof. Ibanga noted, “this is a highly technical job and safety is important. It is a bit more difficult because we are battling with climate change and the excessive rains have affected the pace of work. Before we can cast we have to take away the waters and desilt the trough.”
“We will have manhole at different low points around this area to this underground drainage to ensure efficient discharge of flood from all the surrounding environs into the drainage system . Before the end of this month the casting will be completed, and we will restore the road .”
Contrary to speculations that the contractor has failed, Prof Ibanga highlighted that the project consultant and project Engineers are assigned to every government project and they report to the site each day to ensure the contractor is working according to specifications, adding that work has never stopped on the project.
On the Uyo Village Road, he opined “the contractors have acquired a site for their equipment on the road.
“The projects starts from the junction of Calabar -Itu Road, and stretches to Wellington Bassey Way. It also has two bridges”.
Responding the Contractor handling the drainage project Elder Nsikak Johnny Of Nsik Engineering stressed that the company has the needed equipment, experience and expertise to deliver the project notwithstanding the menace caused by frequent rains.
“most times, we are slowed down by the ceaseless downpour and have to work round the clock pumping out rain water from the drainage, desilt sand and continue casting. The consultant working with us is one of the best in the state. We follow strict Engineering instructions and specifications”
The Tabernacle Road project is a major de-flooding work to reclaim the entire area and provide respite for thousands of residents in Uyo and Itu local government area.
The actual construction of the 2.2km adjoining Tabernacle road project will commence once the 0.97Km underground drainage is completed.
The Works Commissioner who also addressed residents of the affected areas regretted the poor state of some adjoining roads in the area and assured them of the government willingness to bring succour to them at the shortess possible time.
“The important thing for now is how we can handle the flood challenge and rid Tabernacle Road, Nelson Mandela Road, among others of the incessant flooding, so that most people who had migrated from those communities can start returning to their homes”, he added.
