By Chris Ochayi

ABUJA — The Federal Government has asked the contractor handling the N21.4 billion dualisation of Owerri-Elele road to speed up work on the project in order to deliver the 35.7-kilometre road to the people on time.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Stephen Oru, who gave the charge  in Owerri, the Imo State capital, during the inspection of the project, being executed by the ministry in Imo and Rivers states, said the road was vital to communities in the state and the Niger Delta in general.

The contract, which had reached 57 per cent completion, was awarded in 2010 with an initial completion period of 24 months.
He emphasised that the project he inspected were part of the transformation agenda of President Goodluck  Jonathan.

Dr. Oru assured the contractors of steady funding as the Federal Government “is determined to complete and deliver the road within the next few months for the benefit of Nigerians plying the route.”

The Minister was conducted round the premises of the company executing the project by the General Manager, Mr. Muhammed El-Edaros, who showed them construction materials stockpiled by the company for use on the project once the rainy season ceases in the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, the Minister and the Minister of State have expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of construction at the Elele Skills Acquisition Centre in Rivers State, where no contractor was active on the site during the inspection visit.