C'River Civil Engineers Applaud Governor Otu on Road Quality, Offer Free Oversight Monitoring, Inspection
By Ekanem ASUQUO
The Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE), Calabar Chapter, has commended His Excellency Sen. (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu for his administration's commitment to delivering high-quality road infrastructure across Cross River State.
The institution praised the Governor’s “revolutionary vision” in advancing critical civil infrastructure, particularly highlighting his adherence to professional design standards and construction specifications.
This commendation followed an on-site assessment of the ongoing Adiabo-Eseku Road and Bridges project by a delegation of seasoned engineers from NICE, led by Engr. (Dr.) Obeten Nicholas Otu, FNICE - Chairman of NICE Calabar Chapter in collaboration with the, Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Utilities - Engr. Dr. Jerome Egbe, KSM
The 8.25-kilometre road project, in Odukpani Local Government Area, presents significant engineering challenges, including a 3-kilometre stretch through deep swamp terrain.
Its strategic objective is to improve connectivity between Adiabo and the Creek Town Road junction, thereby linking Calabar with Cross River’s hinterlands and neighbouring Akwa Ibom state.
The project is expected to spur economic development by reducing travel time, facilitating trade, and opening up new areas for business growth.
The road project, beginning at chainage 0+000 traverses through a challenging swampy land and ends at the Eseku-Creek Town junction.
Awarded to Messrs. Zenith Construction Limited, the contract includes swamp clearing, extensive sand filling, and the construction of two bridges, measuring 60 meters and 180 meters, respectively. The scope of work also involves erosion control measures, flexible pavement, construction of concrete drainages and culverts.
It entails construction in swampy environments which presents considerable challenges due to unstable soil conditions.
During their site visit, NICE Engineers identified several critical technical considerations. They noted that marshy soils generally have low load-bearing capacity and high water content, which increase the risk of differential settlement and foundation failure.
The body emphasised the need for strict adherence to construction best practices to mitigate such risks.
Dewatering was identified as a key requirement before any construction activity, with methods such as pumps, well points, and drainage systems being essential.
Effective surface grading was also highlighted to ensure proper water runoff and prevent accumulation that could undermine the road’s structural integrity.
To enhance soil stability, the Engineers recommended replacing the marshy soil with more stable materials such as granular fill or rockfill, coupled with soil compaction techniques.
The use of geotextiles and geogrids was also suggested as essential for reinforcing the foundation and ensuring the long-term durability of the road.
The team further advised the contractor, Zenith Construction, on the importance of deep pile foundations to reach stable subsoil layers.
They stressed the need for balanced load distribution, traffic volume analysis, and flood-resilient design features to ensure structural stability over time. Durable and corrosion-resistant materials were recommended for construction in such harsh environmental conditions. In some sections, undercutting and the use of elevated plinths may be required to preserve the integrity of the infrastructure.
Briefing the media after the inspection, Engr. (Dr.) Obeten Nicholas Otu, FNICE - Chairman of NICE Calabar Chapter, reaffirmed the institution’s willingness to offer free consultancy services on critical civil infrastructure projects across the state as part of their corporate social responsibility.
He appealed to the state government, through the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Utilities - Engr. Dr. Jerome Egbe, KSM to provide the institution with a utility vehicle, adding that such support would facilitate more frequent site inspections and help develop indigenous technical expertise.
The endorsement from NICE Calabar Chapter serves as a strong vote of confidence in Governor Otu’s infrastructure agenda and signals a promising future for sustainable development and regional integration in Cross River state.
