Members of the Enugu state House of Assembly have commended the level of work at the ongoing construction of the Nike Lake T-junction flyover initiated by the state government earlier in March.
As part of their oversight functions, the state lawmakers paid a visit to the site on Monday, to ascertain the true level of the project so far.
The lawmakers led by the Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Housing, Infrastructure and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Chima Obieze, for the inspection of the project, took turns to ask the engineers handling the project questions and applaud Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi over his efforts and commitment in delivering the project.
They expressed satisfaction with the level of job done on the project, expressing hope that it would be of maximum benefit to the residents of the state.
While monitoring the ongoing construction at the site, Obieze urged the contractor to bring his professional knowledge and skills to bear, noting that the project will continue to be monitored to ensure quality delivery within the specified period of time.
“I want you to assure us that you’re going to stick to the design, you’re not going to cut corners, you’re going to give us a perfect job and that you’ll deliver on time.
“In the middle of this project we will come again, towards its completion, we will come and on the day of the commissioning, we will be here. If we see any area where you’re not complying, we would immediately be on site to call you to order. The huge sum the state government is spending on this project comes from tax payers’ money and it’s our duty to ensure that you utilize it in accordance with what is contained in the bill of quantity for the benefit of our people. The Governor has good intentions for the people of this state and we hope you make this intention to manifest,” he said.
The lawmaker while thanking the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji, for giving details of the project to the committee, charged the Enugu East local government chairman to ensure that all illegal structures within the area are removed within the one week given to the owners of the structures to prevent it from affecting the project.
He said: “I charge the local government chairman to ensure that this beautiful project that His Excellency has brought to Enugu East local government does not suffer any setback or delay. You must be proactive in ensuring that the people who have encroached on the project’s right of way do the needful. You have to talk to them to ensure that they do the needful
He assured the ministry of works and the company handling the project of lawmakers’ maximum support, adding that “anything that you need that is within our powers to approve, we’ll give such approval to see that this project is completed and in time.”
Obieze while appealing to residents of the state “passing through this area within the period of this construction to bear with the government” and urged the Commissioner of Works to “send a grader over to Umunwene Iji Nike road to Umuchigbo road for them to grade it to make it more accessible and motorable so that it will help ease the hardship this project is having on the people.”
Also speaking, a member of the House Committee on Works and Infrastructure, Hon. Johnson Chukwuobasi, representing Awgu South constituency, commended the state government, saying, “I’m delighted to see that this level of project is ongoing in Enugu state at this material point in time. We have gone round and seen the level of work and preparedness of the contractor.”
Similarly, the member representing Aninri Constituency, Engr. Okwu Otaka, also commended the work, saying: “With the rate of work going on here and the quality of the job, I’m convinced they’ll deliver because what I saw on ground supports my conviction.”
Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Communication and member representing Oji River constituency, Hon. Jeff Mba, charged the contractor to reciprocate the commitment of the state government towards the project.
“I must say from what I’ve seen here, the government is ready to support the contractor to do this job within a record time. I know that 15 percent is already gone and I’m hoping that the contractors will reciprocate the gestures of the Enugu state government. We’re ready to support you. Everybody in the government of Governor Ugwuanyi is in support of this project and we’ll do everything to make sure it works. It’s up to you to give us your word and keep to it,” Mba said.
On her part, the deputy leader of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Onyinye Ugwu, applauded Ugwuanyi for financing the project, managing the state and paying workers’ salaries despite the current economic hardship.
The Commissioner of Works and Infrastructure, Nnaji, disclosed earlier that the Governor “has graciously approved the payment of 30 percent advance payment for this project and the contractor has confirmed the receipt of this payment running close to over N1 billion. So he has committed both financially, in management and in personnel man power to the success of this project.
“On our side, we’re ready to make sure that every aspect of this job is controlled by proper quality control and quality assurance procedure in line with world best practices.”
Nnaji appreciated members of the House Committee for coming to monitor the project, assuring to send periodically, records of the monthly progress of the project.
Assuring that the project will be delivered on a record time, the GM of IDC construction company, the firm handling the project, Freddy De Kleyn said that they have mobilized over 90% of equipments to site and are ready to give the job their best.
He also thanked the state government for having faith in their firm to handle this all important project.
