BY CHRIS OCHAYI

ABUJA— The Federal Government has reiterated its commit-ment to complete the 338-kilometre dual carriage East-West Road project by the first quarter of 2016.

The new Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Stephen Oru, who gave the assurance during a reception organised in his honour by the Pace Setters Social Club of Nigeria in Sapele, Delta State, said the road project is a top priority of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

Oru said within one week of his assumption of office, he had a meeting with the project’s contractors, who promised to speed up work.
He said: “Its completion is a priority for the President. Work on it will be speeded up. It is a matter of urgency and priority.”

It will be recalled that the East West road project, which started in 2010, has 42 bridges, 786 culverts and stretches from Effurun in Delta State, through four states in the Niger Delta area to terminate at Oron in Akwa Ibom State.