Umejei road in Ibusa for expansion, not dualisation, Izeze clarifies
Delta State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, Tuesday, clarified that the Umejei Road project in Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state was for expansion and not dualisation.
Comrade Izeze who was speaking in an interview with journalists shortly after inspecting the 4km road project, said the clarification had become necessary in view of the erroneous impression people had about the project.
He urged Deltans not to misrepresent the state government on any issue as government, according to him, is an institution with its spokespersons and its media aides, adding that government will speak through recognised government officials.
The Commissioner reiterated that the road was approved for expansion by the state Governor and not for dualisation, stressing that the Governor’s directive on the project was quite unambiguous.
While urging people in the area to discountenance the rumoured dualisation of the road project, he disclosed that the volume of traffic in Ibusa town was not enough to even warrant or demand a dualisation of the road in the first place.
“For the purpose of the general public and Deltans, particularly the indigenes and inhabitants of Ibusa town, when His Excellency, the Governor came here on that particular day, accompanied by the council Chairman, Hon. Innocent Eseweze, his directive to the Ministry of Works, Department of Highways and Urban Roads was very unambiguous, expansion of road and double side drains.
“At no time was the discussion about dualisation even contemplated because His Excellency, by nature, has attachment to traditional homes because he is also, from a community.
“Most importantly, the volume of traffic in Ibusa town is not enough to even demand a dualisation of this road in the first place.
“So, it was not contemplated. His Excellency approved an expansion of this road to 10 meters width with two side drains across the 4km stretch of the road,” the Commissioner said.
He pointed out that the contract was awarded by the State Executive Council as represented by the state Tenders Board to Leb Tech Construction Company, an expatriate construction firm that had been doing business with the Delta State Government before now.
Comrade Izeze who expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done so far, implored residents of Ibusa town to cooperate with the firm handling the project so that the timeline for the execution of the project will be met.
“I am very very satisfied with the quality of work done so far by the contractor handling the project. I have no doubt with the capacity of the firm to deliver quality project.
“We do hope that they will continue to maintain this standard and the pace of work so that they can complete the drains and the project before the rains start falling torrentially,” the Commissioner added.
Earlier, the Managing Director of the company handling the project, Elie Zahoue said barring all unforeseen circumstances, the project would be completed on before five to six months time.
In his remarks during the inspection, the President General of Ibusa community, Chief Victor Ochulor, expressed appreciation to the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for approving the project, adding that the people of Ibusa were delighted about the project.
“We had before now, thought that what the state government approved was dualisation of the road but from what the commissioner had just told us, it is clear that the state government did not contemplate what we thought of ab initio.
“Now that we know the original intention of the state government, we will go back to inform our people about it and to let them know that the state government is working in tandem with what they have planned,” the PG of Ibusa community said.
