A'Ibom Works Commissioner tasks contractors on timely job delivery• ••Inspects ongoing Road Projects

In view of government's resolve to actualize the completion agenda, ahead of 2023, the Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Professor Eno Ibanga, on Monday, 11th, January, 2021,carried out on- the- spot assessment on road projects in the State,where he emphasized that Project Engineers should, on weekly basis,forward update on the job executed to government for assessment and completion.

Addressing the contractors, consultants and supervisors at the various projects sites, Ibanga explained that the order has become necessary as government was determined to complete and commission all roads undertaken by the Governor Udom Emmanuel's administration on or before the end of the administration in May 2023.

He stated that within the short period he has served as Works and Fire Service Commissioner, he has seen documents reflecting the fact that government has awarded various road projects to many contractors in the State. 

Ibanga noted that the inspection of the projects, which will cover all sites in the State, was to enable the Ministry know the extent of work done so far by the contractors, and what would be required to complete them within the tenure of this administration.

"We had a meeting with Project Engineers and told them to give updates of the projects; and that before looking at the updates, let me also be on ground to see what is happening so that by the time we have their reports, we will have the total picture and then know what is required to accomplish the projects as soon as possible," Ibanga stated.

The Commissioner argued that although he was impressed with the quality and extent of work done by some contractors, others fell short of expectation, upon which the Ministry would look at the various contract sum- how much have been disbursed and the extent of work done so far.

Ibanga maintained that since government will insist on putting funds where the value would be obtained, any contractor that will fail to show commensurate level of success in job execution will be sanctioned.

"At Ring Road 3 work is in progress. At Ekom Iman Junction, I have told the contractor that the project will be commissioned on May 29."

At the Uyo / Ikot Ekpene Road, the contractor, Julius Begger PLC. told the commissioner that the company was waiting for government's action to enable them open up outfall drain along Spring Road and also remove structures on the right of way to link up the major road to plaza.

At Ikot Ekpene / Uyo Road where JP Sigma is constructing a 10.6 km road to Abak 10,the Project Engineer,Joseph Samuel, told the commissioner that 40 percent of the the job has been completed.

The Commissioner For Works and Fire Service also gave directives during the inspection of road projects in Ikot Ekpene, Obot Akara and Ini Local Government Areas.

Addressing the contractors at those  projects sites, Ibanga explained that the order to submit updates on those projects sites has become necessary as government was determined to complete and commission all roads undertaken by the Governor Udom Emmanuel's administration on or before the end of the administration in May 2023.

"We had a meeting with project supervisors and told them to give updates of the projects; and before looking at the updates, let me also be on ground to see what is happening so that by the time we have their reports, we will have the total picture and then know what is required to accomplish the projects as soon as possible," Ibanga stated.

At Ikot Ekpene / Uyo Road where JP Sigma is constructing a 10.6 km road to Abak 10, the Project Engineer, Joseph Solomon,told the commissioner that 40 percent of the job had been completed. Ibanga directed the company to carry out proper testing and excavation of the top soil before application of laterite.

At the 110 metre span bridge along Odoro Ikpe / Ikot Ndon/ Obotume Arochukwu Road handled by Peculiar Ultimate Consance Ltd, the Commiaaioner told the project supervisor to ensure that their job will be executed according to specification. 

At the 32.7 km Obot Mme/ Ikpanya Road awarded to HENSEK Integrated Services, the commissioner told the project manager to furnish the Ministry with details of the contract, as well as Abak Ifia/Ikpe Mbak Eyop project details in Obot Akara Local Government.