By Gabriel Enogholase

BENIN— THE Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolemenmen, has assured Nigerians that the East-West Road, which links Niger Delta region with the Western part of the country will soon be completed.

Onolemenmen, who spoke with newsmen in Benin, Edo State, at an interactive session, said that 85 percent of works on the road had been completed, expressing hope that with the on-set of the dry season in October, the road will be completed by end of the year.

He attributed the delay in the completion of the road to technical challenges, which he said the public may not be aware off, adding that mobilisation fee was not paid to the contractors even though the road contract was awarded in 2008.

He added that the activities of militants in the Niger Delta region slowed down work and even drove out one of the contractors, Julius Berger Nig. Ltd., from site as they were losing their personnel and equipment to the militants, until the contract was re-awarded to Setraco Nig. Ltd.

He commended President Goodluck Jonathan on his achievement in the road sector, noting that in 2010, only 4000 federal roads were motorable, and that by 2014 over 25,000 of the 35,000 roads had been rehabilitated, constructed and motorable.