The Dune report on failed roads: Akwa Ibom gov’t tackles contractors

Abasifreke Effiong

Akwa Ibom state government has directed all contractors handling road projects in the state to return to site or risk being blacklisted.

The directive is coming few days after The Dune newspaper report detailed how newly completed roads constructed by the Udom Emmanuel adminstration were failing barely few months after they were inaugurated.

The report generated reactions from many citizens of state some of whom called on the governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, to sack the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim Inyang-Eyen whose ministry supervised the failed roads.

Following discussion of The Dune newspaper report on radio, callers into a programme, Team Nigeria Classic, broadcast on a private radio station in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital, expressed displeasure over poor quality of newly constructed roads in different parts of the state.

Indigenes of the state are worried that some roads which inaugurated by Governor Udom Emmanuel in May this year were having potholes, while others have multitude distresses of different geometric patterns.

READ FULL REPORT ON FAILED ROADS:
https://abntv.com.ng/2019/11/aibom-works-commissioner-ephraim-inyang-and-his-failed-roads/

Commissioner for Information, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Charles Udoh, in a chat with newsmen over the weekend said the government is displeased by poor quality roads done by contractors.

“The government is miffed by pockets of complaints emanating from shoddy performance of a handful of contractors handling projects in the state, and has vowed that any contractor culpable will face drastic actions.”

Udoh emphasized the state would not fold its hands and watch its efforts sabotaged by any contractor, who might have attempted to cut corners rather than stick to acceptable standards.

He said government’s policy drive was to ensure all public funds channelled into infrastructural development, were judiciously accounted for.

“The ongoing efforts to expand road network in the state have been due to the deliberate efforts of government to aggressively tackle the rot in infrastructure across the state, to ensure that no part of it is left behind”.

He said Governor Udom Emmanuel is committed to ensure the state’s economic nerve centres are adequately connected by a network of quality and long-lasting roads.

Udoh assured that all projects embarked upon by the current administration would be completed on or before its terminal date.

The commissioner commended vigilant members of the public for drawing government’s attention to these lapses; stating that the task of developing the state remained a collective responsibility of all.