By By, Uchechukwu Ugboaja – Abuja
Contractors have resumed work on the Bayelsa axis of the East-West Road, Blackboxnigeria gathered.
The contractors resumed work after the House of Representatives called on the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to direct Setraco Construction Company and other contractors handling the East-West road to immediately return to site.
The House followed the adoption of a motion on the need to immediately repair the failing sections of the road, particularly the Bayelsa/Rivers and Bayelsa/Delta axis, and complete the construction of the road, moved by Hon. Steve Azaiki.
Hon. Steve Azaiki who expressed delight that the contractor has returned to site said “Setraco has mobilized to site on the East West road following a motion moved by me and my colleagues from Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
“Credible information reaching me shows that Setraco has moved to site with photos dated 12th June, 2020 to prove that work is going on.
I thank the Speaker of the House for taking motion with the urgency demanded, my fellow sponsors, colleagues, President Muhammadu Buhari, the Secretary to Government of the Federation, the new Chief of Staff to the President, the Minister of Niger Delta, the Niger Development Commission NDDC, the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State Senator Doye Diri and the good people of Yenagoa/Kolokuma-Opokuma for their various and different roles. To my colleagues from the Niger Delta, I want to remind you that our job is not done until we restructure Nigeria to the benefit of all.
“I want to specifically acknowledge Senator Godwill Akpabio who worked round the clock since we moved the motion calling the Federal Government to urgently repair the road by making sure Setraco move to site and Setraco did.
“I also want to appreciate our people for the past 62 years (since the Willink Commission) of patience with Nigeria. Now I want to state here that time is far gone with violent activism, our Youths must give peace and dialogue a chance and allow the contractors to do their work. We must support the government and the contractors to achieve the objective of this historic motion. We must protect our most precious asset “the water side” road, spanning more than five states.”
Recall that the motion co-sponsored on the 11th of June, 2020 by Representatives from the South-South states of Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom and Cross-River state, highlighted that a greater portion of the road in these states have failed as the project contractor, SETRACO construction company have abandoned the project, thus making it a death trap and cause of nightmares to commuters who use the roads.
Following the motion, the House resolved that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs should immediately direct the contractor Messers SETRACO to return to site and do the needful. It also stated that the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry and SETRACO should prioritize the most threatened sections in Bayelsa state to avoid cut-offing the state.
