By Favour Nabugwu
Abuja—Federal Government has awarded N16.1 billion contracts to two construction companies for the rehabilitation of roads in the South-East geo-political zone of the federation.

The projects, expected to be completed in 24 months, have four sections— 77 km Enugu-Abakaliki road, to be rehabilitated for N9.7 billion and 52 km Ogoja-Ikom road, to cost N6.4 billion.

The Enugu-Abakaliki project would be handled by Setraco Nig. Ltd., while the Ogoja-Ikom project would be done by the Public Works, PW, Group.

Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, said the Enugu-Abakaliki and the Ogoja junction to Ikom were 90 per cent funded by the World Bank and 10 per cent by the Federal Government. He said the Abakaliki to Ogoja junction project was funded by African Development Bank, ADB, and that the project was about 66 per cent completed.

The minister added that Ikom to Mfum (border with Cameroon) road, also funded by ADB, had been completed since July and that the project was 89 per cent funded by ADB, while 11 per cent of the funding was provided by the Federal Government.

He urged the contractors to put in their best and also to comply with specifications as there would be no room for extension of time.

Onolememen said: “Selection of contractors was based on previous performances. There will be no constraints of funding as provisions are already made. And after the festivities, we expect work on site.”

He commended members of the National Assembly from the constituencies for their support, noting that the projects, when completed, would bring succor to people of the South-East and also bring economic benefits to the nation.

Senate Leader, Sen. Ndoma Egba, in his speech, commended the minister for his effort to ease road transportation problems, urging the contractors not to take advantage of the opportunity as further contracts would be awarded based on performance.

In their remarks, Sen. Ayogu Eze, Chairman Senate Committee on Works, and the Chairman House Committee on Works, Mr. Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi, commended the minster, assuring that the National Assembly and the Committees on Works would not relevant in their support.

He said: “We will ensure that budgetary and legislative measures are provided to enable the road sector reforms achieve their objectives.”

Responding, Mr. Michael Hachenberg, Managing Director of Setraco, on behalf of other contractors, assured the minister and legislators that they would not betray the trust and confidence reposed in them.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/12/fg-awards-n16bn-contracts-for-s-east-roads/

Funny how Nigeria works. So Ogoja and Ikom are in SE when Nigeria allocates expenditures but When Nigeria shares the money to the G Zones, the percentage for Ogoja and Ikom goes to SS. Are we going to get clarification or corrigendum or have Ikom and Ogoja been moved from Cross River in SS to Ebonyi State in SE. And where are the other two sections out of the four mentioned? Na wa for Nigerian Journalists.

Good move.Roads there are actually poor