Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed his satisfaction with the progress of work on the ongoing Port Harcourt Ring Road project assuring the people that in 36 months the venture which he described as a Signature project of his administration will be delivered.
He spoke at the end of his inspection visit to the project site to assess the extent of work that has been achieved.
This is just as the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engineer Lars Richter, revealed that appreciable progress has been made on the project and that the company will meet the agreed completion deadline.
Speaking to newsmen at the end of the inspection, Fubara explained that the contract for the Port Harcourt Ring Road project was the first of such agreements that he signed with the driving objective of making sure that it is delivered to Rivers people.
The Governor whose convoy drove on the stretch of the road from Airport road access through Jesuit Memorial School down to Rumuosi and Uzoba communities before terminating the inspection tour at UTC junction said, “I think we are good considering the understanding that we have with Julius Berger.”
Continuing he said: “We signed off that in 36 months this project will be done and delivered, and with what we are seeing here today, they are meeting up with that target. I am satisfied.
“Although we have a few issues, the price rate at that time and current one is not the same. However, whatever it is, I have assured them that we will give them all the necessary support to make sure that they deliver.
In his remarks the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Richter, who conducted the Governor round the project site said work has advanced after piling and laying of beams on the first flyover, which started on January 15, 2024, and was accomplished two months after.
Richter explained that while they have intensified work on the second Flyover with beams ready to be laid, significant strides have been achieved in laying down the road and the drains for accelerated construction.
“As we drove along the project route, we saw several spots where we are working; on the road construction and even on the two flyovers. Just after the Easter break we will start the laying of the first beams of one of the flyovers, on the other flyover we will finish drilling,” Richter said.
“We are using two drilling rigs to complete the piling; and then we are moving to the third flyover already. So you can see the fist flyover we started on the 15th of January, two months later, we are already laying the beam.
“So we are on track; we are on schedule as we promised his Excellency. I am really satisfied with the work and with my team of course. And also, I am very satisfied with his Excellency for his support and the fact that we had the opportunity today to inspect together and to discuss the challenges for example compensation, allocation.
“He assured me that everything will be done as soon as possible and that he will assist us to meet our timeline. All I can say is that I am really happy and satisfied with the work done here, he said further.”
All along the route of the inspection, ecstatic residents of communities on the project corridor hailed and sang praises of the Governor and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc shouting, “na good collabo“ which means the collaboration between the Governor and the company is for the good of all.