Port Harcourt Ring Road to Connect Communities, People, not Just LGAs, Says JBN MD
Bennett Oghifo
The Port Ring Road project, which groundbreaking was done recently, would connect communities and people, not just local government areas, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engineer Dr. Lars Richter has said.
Richter described the Port Harcourt Ring Road project as a sign of the continuing success of the collective journey to progress of the state government and Julius Berger.
He said, “The Ring Road will be a shining example not just of connecting places but connecting communities for development.“ Adding that the project will also alleviate traffic congestion in some parts of the communities even as great opportunities for solid foundation of the communities will be built.
Rivers State Commissioner for Works, George Kelly Alabo gave the project description as follows: the project has been on the drawing board for decades. It has a length of 50.15km with 45 km dual carriageway, 4.8km of 6 flyovers and a 350m river-crossing bridge.
During the contract signing, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara said of the N195.3 billion contract sum for the Port Harcourt Ring Road, the Rivers State Government will pay 77%, totalling about N150 billion to commence the works. Governor Fubara also assured the contractor, Julius Berger that the State Government is committed to paying the balance once it is certified that Julius Berger has completed about 75% of the job.
He therefore admonished Julius Berger thus, “…you have been doing well. Continue in that tradition and we will continue to give you our necessary support.“
He reminded all at the landmark event that the day’s event was in continuation of the contract signing ceremony which was executed last Wednesday adding that the development will eventually silence doubters in the state further informing that, “We have paid for the project.“
The governor said, “I listened to the Julius Berger Managing Director just now; especially where he talked about connecting communities. This is very true.“ Governor Fubara explained further, saying, “This Port Harcourt Ring Road project is not about connecting local government areas. It is about connecting communities. This project will bring about new cities in Rivers State as accessibility to the State capital will become far much easier.“
Gov Fubara who further urged full cooperation from leaders and youths of the communities in the six LGAs where the Ring Road will transverse saying, “I urge the communities where the project passes to cooperate with the state government and the contractors for successful accomplishment of the project. We seek your cooperation. Compensation will be paid. However, for any one or group who will try to sabotage us concerning the works of the Port Harcourt Ring Road, we will bring down the big hammer on such individuals or groups. As for Julius Berger, we all know you have a good reputation for doing quality projects. Please do not fail us.”
The immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike Monday flagged off the Port Ring Road project construction with assurances to Governor Fubara and the people of the state that with Julius Berger as the contractor for the properly-funded project, it will be completed and commissioned ahead of the scheduled delivery date.
Speaking before he flagged off the project, the former Governor lauded the contractor saying that, “…on this project, with Julius Berger (as the contractors), I can assure you that Julius Berger will not wait for the projected three years to complete the job.“
Wike said, “…by the time Julius Berger Nigeria Plc finishes this work, you will be happy, your children will be happy and everybody will be happy because you would have made the people happy.“
At the flag-off event were former Governor Sir Dr. Peter Odili, Senators and members of the House of Representatives, members of the Rivers State Executive, the Speaker and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as the Chairman and members of the Rivers State Council of Chiefs.
