Imo State: Reps decry road contract awarded 15 years ago without significant progress

The House of Representatives on Thursday called on the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to urgently review and redesign road linking to multinational oil companies and over 30 communities in Imo State.

The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion on the ‘Urgent need to rehabilitate Avu-Etekwuru road and complete the abandoned Oguta/Nnebukwu Bridge in Imo State’, sponsored by Hon. Uju Kingsley Chima.

In his lead debate, Hon. Chima who called for the House intervention observed that the Avu-Etekwuru road is a major road linking Ohaji/Egbema and Owerri-West Local Government Areas of Imo State, observed that the road also provides access road for Multinational Oil

Companies and over 30 Communities in the two Local Government Areas.

“The House also notes that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) awarded contracts for the rehabilitation of Avu-Etekwuru Road and construction of a bridge across Oguta lake to link Nnebukwu Community and Egwe/Oguta Communities.

“The House is further notes that legislative oversight have been carried out at the contract sites in the presence of the Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission and the contractors to ascertain the level of work done and the reasons for the undue delay in completing the projects.

“The House is aware that the contracts were awarded over 15 years ago and the contractors were mobilized but no significant progress has been made at the sites as the contractors are demanding for an upward review of the contracts due to high cost of materials.

“The House is worried that the Road has become impassable as it has deteriorated and in the process, cutting off the three neighbouring Local Government Areas of Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Owerri-West from other parts of Imo State.

“The House is cognizant that if the road is not given the urgent attention it deserves, more lives and properties will be lost to, flooding in Avu and Etekwuru and other Communities where the construction of the bridge was abandoned in Oguta,” he noted.

While urging NDDC and FERMA on the need to urgently rehabilitate the road with a view to ensure free flow of traffic, the lawmakers tasked NDDC on the urgent need to review and redesign the projects to conform with modern engineering designs and costs so that the jobs can resume in earnest.

To this end, the House mandated its Committees on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and FERMA to liaise with the relevant agencies to ensure compliance.