By DENNIS OTU
“Today, I will go to bed a happy man because of what I have witnessed. Am so excited today. This is a historic day in our lives. If I am not mistaken, the last night Julius Berger Nigeria Plc worked in this our environment was over forty years ago. But today, Monday, November 27th, 2023, our dynamic Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has just performed the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of road expansion and improvement works between Effurun and DSC Roundabouts, PTI junction flyover, DSC Roundabouts flyover and Enerhen junction/Marine Gate Flyover. This is a welcome development“.
Those were the words of Mr Orbada Clark Okigbo, the Chief Executive Officer of Bem Vindo Hotel Osubi, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State while speaking to newsmen immediately after the ground breaking ceremony of Flyovers in the twin cities of Effurun and Warri.
The elated hotelier lauded the Governor in his efforts to turn things around in the oil rich City of Warri and Effurun, the Headquarters of Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.
According to the popular hotelier, “We must commend the bold step that our Governor has taken by bringing Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to work for us here in Delta State. He has broken a record that must go into Guinness Book of records. This is the first time since 1999, that the construction giant is coming to work in the state. Our Governor must be applauded for this”.
A mechanic in Uvwie Local Government Area of the state, Mr Goodluck said; “What we have seen here today is very commendable. For the first time Warri and Effurun are being opened up for development. These flyovers are going to help greatly by the time they are completed and so we must appreciate what our Governor has done today. I decided not to go to work today in order for me to see things for myself and I am so happy with what I have seen”
A lady who sells pure water at the PTI junction and identified herself as Madam Blessing, praised the Governor to high heavens , saying that; ” The other day, I saw how the streetlights were being removed from the Effurun Roundabout down to the DSC Roundabout and today our Governor has come with big people to start off the project properly. I salute the Governor. Julius Berger Plc should not be disturbed at all by our youths as far as this wonderful project is concerned”.
Mr Brown is a cab driver and he is so happy with Governor Oborevwori, saying that; “I know right from the beginning of his campaign that if elected, he will not disappoint us. Who ever thought that Julius Berger will be brought to work in Delta State as they have been doing in order States. The courage of the governor is very commendable”.
Another driver, Mr Samson said that; “I have been running this PTI junction to Warri main market for some years now and I know what we have been facing, especially at the Effurun Roundabout and we know that we are about to witness a major change now after the completion of the project. We must give the Governor a path on the back for embarking on this #78 Billion project at this critical time”.
A Keke Rider who did not want his name to be mentioned harped on the need for the people to give Julius Berger Plc the support to deliver the project on time, just as he lauded the Governor for his vision.
Speaking of Monday in Effurun while performing the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of three flyovers, cloverleaf, road expansion and pedestrian bridges in the Effurun and Warri metropolis of the state, the State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori said it was a fulfillment of the promise he made to the people of the state during his inauguration on May 29.
The projects include road expansion and improvement works between Effurun and DSC roundabouts; PTI Junction Flyover; DSC Roundabout flyover; Enerhen junction/Marine Gate flyover and cloverleaf at Effurun roundabout.
He said the projects would ease traffic gridlock and vehicular movements in the affected areas, adding that it would change the face of the twin cities of Effurun and Warri.
The Governor added that the projects would create employment and improve economic activities for engineers, artisans, labourers, food vendors, suppliers, transporters, quarry operators and so many others in the construction value chain.
He said: “We have released the agreed sum as advance payment to the contractor, which on its part commenced surveys, final designs, sub-soil tests, and other activities precedent to the commencement of actual construction works. These are in addition to the establishment of site yards, offices, and life camps.
“The cumulative contract sum for the four projects is seventy-seven billion, nine hundred and ninety-seven million, one hundred and fifty-nine thousand, three hundred and thirty-nine-naira, and ninety-one kobo (N77,997,159,339.91) only and the contractor has a completion period of twenty-seven-months.
“These four strategic projects are aimed at solving the gridlock often experienced between Effurun Roundabout, through PTI Road Junction to DSC Roundabout on the Effurun/Patani (East/West) Highway at Effurun. They will also ease vehicular movement at the stretch from Enerhen Junction, Effurun to Marine Gate, Warri, in Uvwie and Warri South Local Government Areas.
“As I said during the contract signing ceremony, these projects will not only change the face of the Warri-Effurun Metropolis, they will also ease the traffic congestion in the area and alleviate the hardship faced by commuters.”
“I urge the contractor to work relentlessly to meet the schedule we have agreed to. The immediate communities and their leaders should appreciate the enormous investment the government is making and join hands with us to ensure the speedy completion of these projects”, he said.
Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Mr. Lars Richter, commended the State Government for the vision and insight in investing in the special infrastructure in the twin-cities and thanked Governor Oborevwori for finding the company worthy to execute the projects.
He assured that the company will deliver the work on schedule and in line with specifications.
On his part, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Dr Emmanuel Sideso, Abe I, commended Governor Oborevwori for the project and for remembering the Uvwie people, assuring that they would protect the project.
Also speaking, the Olu of Warri Kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse III, represented by Dr Roland Oritsejafor, described the project as a project of unity and pledged the unalloyed support of the people of Warri towards successful completion of the projects.
DENNIS OTU IS SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANT (MEDIA) TO THE DELTA STATE GOVERNOR