N27.6billion.
These two major road projects are expected to be completed within the
next fourteen months.
Briefing journalists at the Government House, Port Harcourt after the
State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo
Wike on Wednesday, the Commissioner of Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi, said
the Trans-Kalabari road will be 13.599 kilometers long and will be
executed by Lubrik construction company.
He explained that the road will connect several communities amongst
them Krakama, Omekwe-ama, Angula-ama, Mina-ama and some other
communities in the Kalabari area of the State.
“The project will cost N13.6billion and will have 14 months duration,
financed by irrevocable standing payment order drawn against the State
Internal Revenue, meaning that every month the contractor will be paid
N1 Billon and there will be no delays.
“This will guarantee the project is not stalled and completed within the
time frame stipulated and agreed with the State government. This I
believe will be useful to the people in the area and ease their
transport.”
Tasie-Amadi also disclosed that the Council approved the construction of
the Saakpenwa-Bori-Kono Phase 2 road project which starts from Bori to
Kono.
“It is a 17 kilometer road and the cost of the project is N14 Billion .
Construction time is 14 months. Payment will also be secured by an
irrevocable payment standing order of N1 billion monthly drawn against
the State Internal Revenue.”
The Commissioner said the Saakpenwa-Bori-Kono contract will be executed
by the same the company that executed the Phase 1 of the road , Chinese
Civil and Engineering Construction Corporation.
He stated that the reason why the cost of the Trans-Kalabari road
which is 13 kilometers long and 9.3 meters wide is almost the same as
that of Bori- Kono 17.1 kilometers and 24 meters wide road with street
light, is because the terrains are different.
“You see the cost of building in the riverine area is nothing less than
twice the cost of building on solid soil. So the Government is going
through huge trouble to see that these roads are built. People will
wonder why the cost are like that, the terrain determines the cost. So,
it (Trans-Kalabari road ) is far more expensive to build.”
The Commissioner of Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim said
the award of the Trans-Kalabari road by the Governor Wike’s
administration is historic.
He explained previous government had awarded the Trans-Kalabari road to
indigenes of the area who later abandoned the project for inexplicable
reasons.
Nsirim said the Wike’s administration is not only desirous that the
project kicks off, but that it is completed as scheduled.
“With the kind of payment plan, this project will not be abandoned, but
completed.”
The Commissioner of Information and Communications said these two major
roads which are located outside the city centre is a further testimony
that Governor Wike has remained steadfast in spreading development to
every nooks and crannies of the State.