The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Mr. Fidelis Nweze, has recommended concert base and rigid concert pavement for road construction in the South East states of Nigeria.
He said this remained the best for the terrain of the region.
Nweze attributed the poor state of roads in the South East to poor soil type, which he said could be remedied by the construction of roads on concert base and rigid pavements, noting that such roads could last for about 50 years.
He added that this could save huge amount of money for the government and guarantee more developmental projects for the well-being of all residents.
The commissioner enjoined all road contractors in the country and the South East, in particular, to emulate the Ebonyi State Government in constructing roads that would stand the test of time.
He said Ebonyi State had successfully joined the states to be reimbursed by the Federal Government, having achieved the successful completion of many Federal roads not minding the fact that 75 per cent of all the roads are within the state capital.
The commissioner disclosed that both the past and current administrations had spent not less than N33billion on the construction of Federal roads within the state, adding that people of Ezzaegu community in Ishielu Local Government Area of the state would soon heave a sigh of relief as the state government had announced plans to reconstruct the abandoned Eguhuo Bridge and the adjoining roads in place of the existing old metallic barley bridge to make life easier for the residents.
He assured that as soon as the rains subsided, works would commence fully at the site to give people of that area a sense of belonging.
The bridge named Unity Bridge and used to kickoff the construction of 36 other bridges was abandoned since 2007 by the administration of Chief Martin Elechi, leaving the people with no other option than the old Barley bridge, which has become a death trap.
The commissioner said, ”We have advertised the Ntezi /Agba/Isu road, which is 33.5kilometers. We have done from Agba/Eguhuo Ezzaegu road, which is 15.8kilometers .The six long span bridge between Eguhuo and Agba communities was awarded to Parche Nigeria Limited sometimes in 2014 by the last administration.
”In that job, some things were not captured. So, when we came in, we called them for joint measurement, which has been done successfully. You recall that the barley bridge there had issues, which were taken care of by this incumbent government. We intend to harmonise with the contractor and work will commence there as soon as the rains subside. So, expect that that bridge and road shall be completed and ready for use latest by January 2019 as work will commence by October this
year.
