The Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has said that apart from social benefits, economic variables were highly considered before roads are awarded for construction.
Fielding questions from journalists shortly after inspecting the progress of work on a 7.6 kilometre Umeh Road in Isoko South Local Government Area of the state, Governor Uduaghan disclosed that in line with his commitment towards Delta Beyond Oil, economic variables were paramount in executing projects in the state.
“This is an economically viable road in line with our aspiration towards achieving the policy thrust of Delta Beyond Oil and this road will open up the rural communities for them to take their agricultural produce to the cities,” the governor said.
He observed that when completed, a lot of communities would benefit from the road, adding that it was estimated to be completed within 18 months but the flood, which ravaged coastal communities, especially, communities in Delta State, affected the project.
According to the governor, while the flood washed away the sand, it also threw up the challenge of constructing a bridge where box culvert was designed to be constructed.
He assured the people of Umeh and those who will make use of the road that efforts are on to complete the stone base work of the road and possibly tar the road before the rains becomes much.
Uduaghan commended the people of Umeh for ensuring that the construction company’s operations were not hampered, reiterating his commitment towards serving the people of the state selflessly.
Also, Uduaghan on Tuesday inspected ongoing projects in Ughelli, Ekpan and Warri.
The governor, who was accompanied by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr. Festus Okubor, and commissioners, while at Ughelli inspected the schools being constructed and the level of work done on the dual carriage way.
He expressed satisfaction at the level of work done on the culvert being done on housing complex road, Ekpan and also expressed satisfaction that the contractor handling the refinery road project, Jihad Aoun, has assured him that asphalting of the road would be completed before May 29, 2013.
Uduaghan took part in a sanitation exercise on the road, confiscation materials and wares used to obstruct the walkways.
He said it was sad that people were not appreciating the need not to create obstruction on the walkways.
Materials, which were confiscated, including a Kia Picanto with registration number: Lagos DR 18 GGE and a Honda Accord saloon car, including a vulcanizing machine, vendors stand, materials for recharge card retailers, among others were taken to the Ekpan Police Station.
At the Enerhen Junction, where heavy duty equipment was seen working, Uduaghan disclosed that his administration was engaged in what he called “junction improvement project.”
He stated that the project would be executed in Warri and Asaba, assuring Deltans that when completed, there will be free flow of traffic at busy junctions.
Addressing residents and traders at Enerhen Junction during the inspection, Governor Uduaghan appealed to parents to ensure that their children are immunized against polio.
“Take your children to hospitals and immunize them against polio, it is free and administered through the mouth,” he said, adding: “The campaign against polio is not about us, it is about our children.”
Economic considerations uppermost in choice of road construction – Uduaghan
