Effurun/Warri road: Delta governor visits site, hails Berger
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has hailed leading engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for work done so far with redesigning and remodeling of the Effurun Roundabout to ease tra*ffic.
A press statement by Julius Berger said the governor gave the commendation when he paid an unscheduled visit to the project site to inspect the flyover under construction at PTI junction in the Uvwie Local Government Area on Sunday.
Julius Berger is currently executing a contract for the construction of three flyovers in Warri/Effurun with associated roads awarded by the Delta state government last year.
The governor, who said he was impressed with the job done so far on the projects, expressed optimism that the construction firm would deliver on schedule. Oborevwori said: “I am impressed with the work they have done so far; remember I told you at inception that the job duration is for 27 months and as long as we are paying them monthly, they will be able to keep up with the time they gave to us. I usually pass here but stopping over and seeing things for myself, I am impressed with the work they have done so far, and I know they will keep to the 27-month completion period they gave to the state government.”
He commended Julius Berger for its efforts in effectively managing traffic flow around the construction corridor with the creation of several diversions outside the construction area.
Meanwhile, it was a season of praises for leading engineering construction compnay, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc last week as communities along its operationsal areas in Warri, Delta state, Port Harcourt, Rivers state and Aba, Abia state expressed their excitement at the progress of construction work being executed by the company.
In Warri where the company was contracted to build flyovers and roads in the metropolis as well as in Effurun, commuters and residents on the ever-busy Effurun-Warri Road the residents hailed Julius Berger for the pace of work on the project as the workers were busy notwithstanding the ceaseless rains.
The Project Manager, Mr Thomas Haug, who was with his team, disclosed that they are building the structures for the PTI flyover while piling work had started for the DSC flyover, adding that on the Enerhen road flyover, they were preparing for piling there.
Mr. Haug further said that though the rains were disturbing full utilisation of their efforts, pointing out that they were capable of working under such situations and circumstances.
On his part, an Effurun-based Secondary School Teacher, Solomon, Ejule, declared that the coming of Julius Berger to handle the challenging task of restoring the glory of the city was a welcome development.
“The people love the courage of the company to take on the onerous task of rebuilding our roads and facilitating movements in diverse ways. That explains why everybody from Effurun to Warri is cooperating with Julius Berger. We obey them and the emergency traffic regulations at their sites,” he stated.
Similary, a Taxi Driver, Eferere Oghenejobo, said the residents were happy with Julius Berger, stating: “You see this work they are doing here has lifted up our belief in the government of this state. By this time next year, we will be driving on brand new, fresh and sweet roads all over constructed by the generalisimo of construction companies in the country.”
In the same vein, the views expressed on Julius Berger’s work were the same in Port Harcourt.
According to the Rivers state government the multi-billion Naira Port Harcourt Ring Road project, which would crisscross four local government areas of the state, wAs being vigorously executed by Julius Berger.
For some traders in Ozuoba Community, Obio Akpor Local Government Area where one of the six flyovers was being constructed, it was a case of gradual transformation of the impact of the project on their businesses and living in general.
One of the traders, a food seller, Ms Josephine Oluchi said, “…even now that the flyover is still undergoing construction, it has changed the face of Ozuoba, talk of when it is completed, the area will look like Dubai, amidst laughter.
She added: “Definitely, more opportunities are being opened. Julius Berger has started it with job opportunities for our people. This will be followed by business opportunities and many more.
The same scenario played out in Aba, where Julius Berger is constructing the long abandoned Port Harcourt Road/ Asa Road which has speedily progressed as over 40 per cent has been completed.
Commenting on the project, a policeman on static duty near the site disclosed that, Aba residents were cooperating with Julius Berger, just as he said the road was blocked to allow for uninterrupted work.
The Site Manager, Engr Bakare Kehinde, assured that the 18-month deadline for the project’s completion would be met as no problem is envisaged.
“The project is in two sections with Section 1 now fuilly constructed with U-channel built on both sides. Section 2 comprises majorly, rehabilitation works,” he disclosed.