CRSCF Calls for Revocation of Odukpani - Itu - Ikot Ekpene Fed.H/W Contract To Willing Construction Company As Julius Berger, Sermatech Explains Delay
Hannah ARIKPO
The Cross River South Consultative Forum (CRSCF) have called for
the termination and revocation of the contract with Julius Berger and Sermatech - the Contractors handling the Odukpani - Itu - Ikot Ekpene Federal High Way road construction, due to their inability to deliver the job on schedule and award same to a Company willing to continue construction.
In a five point resolution jointly signed by all fourteen Representatives, the forum stressed the need for accountability from the contractors while Julius Berger and Sermatech construction Companies should be compelled to provide clear explanations for the delay and take urgent steps to accelerate work on the project.
Briefing Newsmen in Calabar on the State of the Odukpani - Itu - Ikot Ekpene Federal High Way, the Chairman of the Forum, Hon. Eyo Nsa Ekpo ESQ, described the condition of the Federal Highway project as a national embarrassment which has inflicted much suffering on the people of Cross River and Akwa Ibom with grave economic consequences as the federal government and the contractors continue to show a lack of urgency in addressing the crisis.
"For instance, Businesses are collapsing, farmers are unable to transport their produce. Pregnant women, the sick, accident victims endure horrific experiences as criminals take advantage of stranded motorists to perpetuate robberies and kidnappings." He stated.
The forum Chairman further urged the federal government to prioritise the High Way road project by taking urgent and full scale rehabilitation of the project to ensure its completion while the Minister of Works comes up with a clear, realistic and transparent timeline.
"The Minister promised to set up a tripartite committee comprising leaders of the forum, staff of the Ministry of Works and Sermatech to track the progress of the road project and report directly to him. We received the assurances as a step towards ensuring transparency and accountability. However, nothing has been done. He failed to honour his commitment, raising serious questions about the sincerity of the federal government in resolving this issue. This pattern of empty promises must end," Ekpo emphasised.
" ... While Julius Berger, has a reputation for quality road construction, its pace on the Odukpani - Itu - Ikot Ekpene Federal High Way has been disappointingly slow and they abandoned site for more than a year ago. Similarly, Sermatech which was contracted some portions of the road, must be held accountable for delays and subpar work. We therefore, call on Sermatech to revisit the site and correct the substandard construction," he disclosed.
He lauded the proactive intervention of the state Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, for paying off outstanding compensations to secure the National Inland Waterways Authority's permit to enable Julius Berger to construct some of the outstanding bridges, stating, "This gesture of the Governor demonstrates true leadership and commitment towards the welfare of the people."
