By Jemimah Wellington, JKNMedia Reporter
THE RIVERS State Executive Council has greenlit a monumental infrastructure endeavour, approving a substantial contract for the construction of the main Trans-Kalabari Road project, set to transform transportation in the region.
Valued at a staggering N225.1 billion, the project’s approval came during a pivotal meeting presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, flanked by Deputy Governor Prof Ngozi Odu and esteemed council members at the Government House.
In a detailed briefing following the council’s decision, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joseph Johnson, unveiled the intricate scope of the project.
Emphasizing its significance, Johnson revealed that the Trans-Kalabari Road would be a vital artery, stretching from NSS Pathfinder after Mgbuodohia Community and extending approximately 2 kilometers to the Aker Base Road in Rumuolumeni Community, within the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Moreover, the ambitious project will navigate challenging terrain, traversing swamps and spanning rivers and creeks necessitating the construction of numerous bridges, decks, and piling works.
Johnson underscored the project’s self-sufficiency, affirming that funding would be drawn from the State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), thus eliminating the need for external borrowing.
Addressing the timeline, Johnson disclosed that the construction phase is projected to span 32 months, with the contractor mandated to mobilize personnel and resources promptly. He highlighted the strategic connectivity of the road, which will link various communities, including Tombia Town, fostering economic development and social cohesion across the region.
Furthermore, Johnson juxtaposed the financial magnitude of the Trans-Kalabari Road project with the ongoing Port Harcourt Ring Road initiative, elucidating that the former’s substantial cost reflects the intricacies of navigating challenging landscapes.
Beyond infrastructure, the Commissioner celebrated Rivers State’s triumphs in sports, citing notable victories in football, beach volleyball, chess, and table tennis. Notably, Rivers United emerged victorious in the Nigeria Premier Football League U17 Youth League, while the state excelled in national beach volleyball, chess, and table tennis competitions.
In her remarks, the acting Director General of Rivers State Bureau of Public Procurement (RSBOPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, underscored the meticulousness of the procurement process leading to the contract award.
She affirmed that all necessary procedures were diligently followed, ensuring the project’s adherence to legal and financial protocols.
With the issuance of a certificate of no objection to Lubrick Construction Company Limited, the stage is set for the commencement of this transformative endeavour, promising enhanced connectivity, economic vitality, and social progress for the communities of Rivers State.
