Delta State government begins rehabilitation on failed portion of Asaba-Onitsha highway

The Delta Government has commenced intervention work on the failed portions of the Asaba-Onitsha end of the Benin-Onitsha Expressway.

State Commissioner for Works, James Augoye, and his Information Counterpart, Charles Aniagwu, who inspected the project yesterday, expressed satisfaction with the progress of work.

Site Contractor, Levant Construction Limited, Tarek Maroun, said the company began work on the 1.5kilometer portion on September 11, 2019, and hoped to complete it within a month, depending on the level of rainfall.

Aguoye said a similar intervention was also going on at the failed portion of Ubulu-Okiti Junction on the expressway, measuring 300 meters.

He said: “Here at the Asaba Bridge Head, we are doing 150 meters (1.5km), the scope of work here involves excavation of materials and filling with sharp sand.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the deplorable state of the road posed serious nightmare to road users, adding that the development had forced transport fares up to as much as N1000 between Asaba and Onitsha, especially during critical hours of the day.

The commissioners’ team also inspected the ongoing intervention at Okuovu on the Benin-Sapele-Warri federal highway.

Site Engineer of Obakpor J.U. Construction, Justin Nwoko, described the work as tedious but promised that it would be delivered in record time.

“This work will be handled professionally and delivered on time. We have been here for one week now, the terrain is marshy and because of the downpour, it is giving us some challenges.

“However, we appeal to the people to bear with us. The job could have been done by the Federal Government, but the Delta government is intervening to make it easier for road users,” he said.

The commissioner for works also appealed to motorists, who ply the route to be patient with the contractor.

“We are doing our best with the contractor to ensure that the road is completed and on time,” Augoye said.

On his part, Aniagwu said Governor Ifeanyi Okowa embarked on the rehabilitation to end the stress commuters and motorists go through daily on the road.