Residents of Owa-Ekei road have commended and called for a speedy completion of the project by the contractor/construction company China Civil Construction (CCC), handling the road project.
They made this call while speaking with Ika Weekly Newspaper reporters who recently, carried out a survey on the work so far.
A large number of the residents commended the contractors for the standard work on the road, especially as it withstood the periods of daily downpour without damages, unlike other roads. Some others noted that the delay in completing the project is detrimental to people living around the power-line axis, as well as motorcyclists who ply the road daily, due to its muddy nature anytime it rains, and the dusty nature when there is no rain.
According to Mr. Steven Okoye, a spare parts dealer along the road, the standard work on the road is “world class,” but he said that the only challenge they are faced with is the flood which covers up the road, caused by the heavy nature of the rain and the shallow nature of the drainage. He charged the contractors to endeavour to be on ground whenever there is heavy downpour, to observe their plight, and work out feasible solutions. Another Okada rider and a resident of Owa-Ekei road, Mr. Lawrence, said the road construction is standard, saying that the contractors did quality construction, but urged that drainage be constructed on other roads with links to the main road, to avoid the issue of flooding during rain fall.
In a similar manner, Mrs. Vera a petty trader and a Civil Servant whose shop is along, Owa-Ekei by power-line said people residing from the 2nd power-line axis are suffering the adverse effects of the dust they inhale daily, caused by the dusty nature of the road. She said they do not find it easy either with the flood. She charged the contractors handling the project to hasten up in completing the project or put up palliative measures to forestall further occurrences. Mrs. Vera said, people suffer greatly especially during any downpour, as it is always muddy around that axis, including car owners, when their cars and vehicles sink
An anonymous group of persons said though the contractors have done well at the finished portion of the road, the stated that until the end of the project, the contractors should not be commended yet.
A surveyor working with the construction company (CCC) Mr. Rafael in a chat with an Ika Weekly Newspaper reporters on Tuesday 3rd October, 2017 said they have been doing their best to finish up the construction, saying that, the delay in completing the project is due to financial constraint, the rain and lack of available source to channel the water, However, he said they will make progress now that they have secured a place to properly channel the water to, and once the rain is over work will commence fully.
He said the time frame for the project is one and a half year, and they hope to finish up before the time frame elapses. He said the people can be assured of quality and standard road, judging from the finished portions of the road.
MIXED REACTIONS TRAILS OWA-EKEI ROAD CONSTRUCTION
Yet to be constructed portion of the road