Construction work on the Onicha-Uku/Idumuje-Unor road project, a constituency project of the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu has substantially progressed with the successful introduction of drainage system along the two sides of the road.
The drainage system with concrete Drive-in slabs in each of the house along the road was to help in access, while the drain line and hydraulic structures is to control the massive flooding along the length of the road as well as its sustainability.
A visit to Idumuje-Unor by Journalists on Thursday, witnessed increased activities at the site with workers putting finishing touches on the concrete drive-in slab linkages to houses along the road project, being handled by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Speaking with the site Engineer, Engr. Chidi Ikegwuonu, he told Journalists that they are not relenting in ensuring that the road is delivered, saying that despite the challenges associated with the unfriendly weather, they are determined to complete the project within a short period.
“As you can see, work is ongoing at a very high tempo. We are done with the construction of the two side drainage system and hydraulic structures. What you see us doing is the linking of the various houses and adjoining streets with concrete slabs and by the grace of God, we will complete it hopefully by this weekend. After which, we do the clearing, sand filling and compaction, finally the asphalt laying,” Engr. Ikegwuonu stated and said that the process, if all things being equal, will not take more than four weeks, but might take longer due to weather.
He commended the traditional ruler of Idumuje-Unor, His Royal Majesty, Obi Charles Anyasi III and the people of the community for their support and cooperation towards the ongoing project and assured that not minding the obvious challenges; they are determined not to delay the delivery of the project unnecessarily.
At Onicha-Uku/Idumuje-unor road project site, one kilometer of the road has been done with a two side drainage system with complete asphalt overlay.
In a chat with members of the media, the Senior Legislative aide to the Minority Leader, Ms Bridget Modebe said that indeed the Onicha-Uku/ Idumuje-Unor road is an going project that the Minority Leader is determined to complete in no distant time, revealing that as a great fighter for his people, the Minority Leader goes at any length and anywhere to lobby for projects no matter how small, provided it will be beneficial to his people.
She further said that at the moment the Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu has been able to secure for the construction of Onicha-Uku/Idumuje-Unor road, Onicha-Uku/Idumu-Ogo road and Issele-Uku/Idumuje-Unor road, while attesting to the fact that the one kilometer of the Onicha-Uku/Idumu-Ogo road has just been completed, saying that when more funds are released the project will be fully completed.
She said that the ongoing reconstruction of the bad portion of the Issele-Uku/Idumuje-Unor road from the Issele-Uku axis by the office of the Minority Leader was an option occasioned by the fact that the Orientation Camp Road in the same Issele-Uku which originally was billed to be taken care by the same contractor has been awarded by the State Government.
“Yes, the Orientation Camp Road which you know has been in a dilapidated condition and has been a source of great concern and worry to the Minority Leader.
“He initially opted to take up the road as one of his constituency project, but being that it has been awarded already by the State Government and being that he was persuaded on the sincerity and determination of the State Government to commence work on the road despite undaunted challenges, he has to direct the contractor to move to the Issele-Uku/Idumuje-Unor road, having secured the permission of the traditional ruler and leaders of Issele-Uku who actually suggested that the Issele-Uku/Idumuje-Unor road should be an alternative.
“It is with a view to reconstructing the dilapidated portion of the road which is very critical to the well-being of the people and as we speak, work is ongoing at the project,” the aide to the Minority Leader stated.
A visit to the Issele-Uku/ Idumuje-Unor road project site on Thursday, revealed that work indeed was ongoing with the massive construction of the drainage system along the road from the Ogboli main entrance to the adjoining umueze street where flood water is expected to be collected from both sides of the road, channeling it down to an already existing swoop in the area.
According to the site Engineer, they are facing serious challenges as a result of the rains, but he assured that efforts are being made to deliver the projects according to specifications without undue delay.
