Two weeks after The Guardian’s report on the neglect of the Eleme-Onne axis of the East-West Road, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works, has mobilised the Reynolds Construction Company (RCC), to immediately commence work on the road.
  
The Guardian, in its report on September 26, 2023, noted that the section IIIA of the East-West, covering Port Harcourt/Eleme Junction to Onne with just about 15 kilometres, plays host to 300 oil and gas companies, including the Port Harcourt Refinery. But its neglect by various administrations has claimed several lives, severely affecting businesses. 
   
The report further challenged the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, to demonstrate commitment on the road and show that he has the people of the South-South region at heart by breaking the jinx, making sure that the road is fixed.
  
The Federal Government had also assured Nigerians that the Port Harcourt Refinery would take off by December this year, but residents expressed reservations on how the government will fix the refinery, and yet the road that leads to it is impassable. 
   
Latest findings by The Guardian show that RCC contractors are on site with their equipment and have begun works on the road. It was learnt that the contractors got an upward review of the earlier approved fund as a result of current construction prices.
   
Umahi, had, last month after inspecting the road, disclosed that N33 billion had been considered to commence work on the road. Confirming this, the Public Relations officer of RCC, Edward Eresu Deekae, said: “The Ministry of Works has mobilised our company to commence work at the site immediately.”
   
Speaking also, the President General of Ogoni Youth Federation, Legborsi Yamabana, who led the youths to protest and barricade the road in 2020 and 2021, expressed happiness on the latest move by the government. 
  
He, however, urged the Federal Government to ensure quality construction of the road and avoid hasty and poor works, assuring total support of the Ogoni people. 
   
He said: “The Federal Government has proposed that the Port Harcourt Refinery will take off by December this year, and that the road will be completed before then; but as someone that is into construction, it is not possible, because if the contractor wants to do a proper job, it will take about one year to complete the road.
    
“So, anything that will make them hurry on that road will be counterproductive.  Our interest is that the road should be properly constructed so that the untold hardship on the road by users will stop.
   
“We also commend The Guardian Newspaper and its correspondent, Ann Godwin, for consistently carrying out investigative reports to ensure that the citizens’ voices are heard.”
   
The youth president urged the contractor to ensure they carry out the work according to specification.