FG sets November deadline for East-West Road completion

The Federal Government has given the contractors handling the Mbiama section of the East-West Road a marching order to complete the project by November 2025.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, who inspected the progress of the work, expressed delight at the completion of the 47-kilometer Section 2.1 of the project during a two-day inspection tour.

Umahi stated that the completed section, inherited from the last administration, will be commissioned by the end of May, and the contractor has been fully paid for the job.

He explained that during the 2023 rainy season, floods washed away over 3 kilometers of the road surface area, prompting the construction of additional relief culverts and increasing the existing road level by 1 meter.

The minister said that the remaining 22 kilometers of the project, which is Section 2.2, must be completed by November, praising the contractor, Setraco, for their excellent work.

He said: “The controller of works and the contractor must ensure that the remaining 22 kilometers can be commissioned by the end of November. I think what is left on either of the carriageways is 11 kilometers each, and anybody saying this road will exceed this year is telling lies.

“Let me express my satisfaction over the quality of work. I am enthused, and I commend Setraco for proving that they are one of the first-class indigenous contractors.”

Similarly, Umahi commended the contractor handling the Eleme axis of the East-West Road project, RCC, for the significant progress made in the past two months.

The minister noted that the work done in the past two months surpasses the work done since the project commenced, attributing the slowdown in the project to the absence of the site manager, who had gone on leave. However, with the site manager’s return, the minister expressed satisfaction with the quality and speed of work.

He also directed the contractor to redesign the drainage system, particularly in built-up areas, to ensure that it is pre-cast and can be easily installed, even during rainfall.

Regarding the project timeline, the minister expressed optimism that the carriageway would be completed by the end of April. However, he noted that the drainage work may not be completed by then.

“I advise them to do everything possible to initiate speedy drainage work so that we will be able to be out of this carriageway by the end of April,” the Minister said.

Umahi also commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting local contractors, citing the payment of a 30% mobilization fee for sections of the Second Niger Bridge and Abuja-Kano roads.

He praised the President’s commitment to the Niger Delta region, highlighting the swift delivery of projects by local contractors.

The Minister mentioned that three bridges collapsed during the 2023 floods in Port Harcourt and Kaiama, Bayelsa State, noting that President Tinubu directed the inspection and reconstruction of the bridges, with the project commencing four months ago.

He noted that the contractor has molded all the beams and is set to begin casement piling.

Also, the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Enwereama Tarilade, noted that the section of the road being inspected boasts 11 bridges, with additional culverts under construction to safeguard against flood-related damage.
She noted that the project’s estimated completion date is set for April 2026.

Representatives of Setraco, the contractor handling the project, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works for creating an enabling environment for the project’s progress.

Michel Issa, representing Setraco, noted that subsection 2.2 of the road project, spanning 54.5 kilometers from Ahoada to Kaiama in Bayelsa State, has reached 70% completion.

Diaa Elhourani, representing Rock Result Group, added that 14 box culverts on the left-hand side of the carriageway have been completed, with work progressing to the right-hand side.

Once completed, the East-West Road is expected to significantly enhance regional connectivity, facilitate economic growth, and improve the overall quality of life for residents in the affected areas.