By Peregba Jerry
Senate on Tuesday alleged duplication of East-West road projects.
The Senate Adhoc Committee on fact-finding fingered the Federal Ministry of Works, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), States and Local Governments in the region over the development.
Committee Chairman, Sen Abdul Ahmed Ningi, revealed this in Eket Local Government Area.
Ningi, representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, noted, “That is one thing we have found out on the ground of awards by the Federal Ministry of Works, NDDC, various state governments of the Niger Delta region, even the local governments.
“We were also disturbed that while we have noticed dilapidation of the roads, we saw from initial concept engineering that they did not do the scientific needful of testing the soil, setting required attention on the road, and that has to do with some compromises. This is unacceptable as far as I am concerned.”
He assured Senate convening of a public hearing on the East-West road in Abuja, during which questions would be raised on those whose responsibility it was to ensure concrete engineering design and soil testing, as otherwise, the government would just be spending money for nothing.
Receiving the Committee in Uyo, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom, Akan Ayakenyi, said the importance of the East-West road cannot be overemphasized as it will boost the economy and bring development into rural communities it passes through.
His words: “You mentioned that you will look into the finances, what was released, why was it not used, and so on. I am certain the current administration under President Bola Tinubu will dig deep into the finances released for the construction of the East-West Road.
“During the 9th Assembly, budgetary provisions were made for the East-West Road construction, approved and released but who got the money and how was it used?
“As you are coming for this fact-finding assignment, I will encourage you to investigate the issue. If money was released and not used for the purpose, please let what is to be done be done.
“Section 4 of the East-West Road which stretches Eket to Uya-Oro Junction needs to be properly dualised, completed and not something that will last two to ten years and start collapsing. We need proper construction to be done.”
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