Residents of Warri, Delta state who have been contending with heavy traffic gridlock for years can now heave a sigh of relief as the state government approved the construction of three flyovers in the oil city.
The projects estimated at N79 billion are to be constructed by Julius Berger and are expected to be completed in 27 months.
Briefing newsmen after the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori
in Asaba, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Fred Edafiogho named the flyovers to be sited at Enerhen junction to Marine Gate, PTI junction and DSC roundabout along the Effurun/Patani, East-West highway.
According to Edafiogho, the contract also includes the expansion of the section of the DSC/NPA Expressway from Effurun roundabout to DSC adding that they are all aimed at solving the traffic problems often experienced in the twin cities of Warri and Effurun.
Explaining the financial involvement of the projects, State Commissioner for Finance, Fidelis Tilije the state government would make a 25 per cent advance payment of N19.5 billion to the construction giant with the balance to be paid through an ISPO for 30 months.
Commissioner for Works, in charge of highways and urban roads, Comrade Reuben Izeze said Governor Oborevwori is committed to fulfilling his electoral promise to give Warri/Uvwie a facelift adding that it was heartwarming to engage Julius Berger in the construction work.
“The justification for choosing Julius Berger is due to their experience and competitive pricing in relation to the quality of works and timely delivery of projects,” Izeze said.
The Commissioner for Works in charge of Rural and Riverine Roads, Mr. Charles Aniagwu who expressed confidence in the state government on local contractors disclosed that Governor Oborewori had directed the Ministries of Works about highways, Urban and rural roads riverine to carry out remedial works on federal roads, particularly the Asaba-Benin Expressway and the Agbor-Eku Road to making them more motorable for road users in the state.
He said the contracts included the design and construction of a flyover bridge at Enerhen junction to Marine Gate; study, design and construction of road expansion and improvement works on the section of the DSC/NPA Expressway from Effurun roundabout to DSC roundabout including construction of a 3/4 Cloverleaf interchange at the existing Effurun Flyover Bridge as well as two pedestrian bridges.
Others are the design and construction of a flyover bridge at PTI junction and DSC roundabout along the Effurun/Patani, East-West highway, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area.
Edafiogho further said that the project road expansion works on the DSC/NPA Expressway will provide two lanes of the restricted carriageway at the centre for through traffic and another two lanes of the service road in each travel direction bringing the current capacity of the road from four lanes to eight lanes.
He said side drains would be provided along the stretch to convey stormwater to the swamp that runs beside the road and pipeline in addition to providing free flow of traffic for a distance of 4.359km with cloverleaf interchanges and U-turns allowing for unimpeded flow.
He added that the four projects have a duration of 27 months with a probable completion date of December 2025.
Commissioner for Works, (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze said Governor Oborevwori’s approval of the projects was in fulfillment of his promise to give Warri/Uvwie a facelift.
He said the justification for choosing Julius Berger was due to their experience and competitive pricing in relation to the quality of work and timely delivery of projects.
Also speaking, State Commissioner for Finance, Chief Fidelis Tilije said the contract was worth N78 billion while the state government would make a 25 per cent advance payment of N19.5 billion with the balance paid through an ISPO for 30 months.
Also speaking during the briefing, the Commissioner for Works in charge of Rural and Riverine Roads, Mr. Charles Aniagwu said that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was deeply worried about the deplorable nature of federal roads across the state.
Aniagwu disclosed that the state Executive Council had directed the Ministries of Works (Highways and Rural Roads) to carry out remedial works on federal roads, particularly the Asaba-Benin Expressway and the Agbor-Eku Road with a view to making them more motorable for road users in the state.
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