By Kenneth Onuoha
365Daily – Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has signed an agreement for the award of contract for the construction of the first phase of Abakaliki Ring Road.
The contractors for the project include GITTO/ CBC global, EMMYBLESS Construction Limited, Reinforced Global/ PATAN and Kakatar group.
Speaking during the signing ceremony at the New Government House, Ochoudo Centenary City, Abakaliki, Umahi said the project has been a very tedious one spanning over six years.
He insisted that the project must be done in the best of quality in rigid pavement, and assured the contractors of adequate security to ensure uninterrupted project execution.
Umahi charged the contractors to ensure they employ not less than 100 Ebonyians in each of the seven lots, while 50% of the Engineers should be from the state.
“It has been a very long journey, a very tedious one, and I must commend Mr President for the 199 kilometre Abakaliki Ring Road passing through 8 Local Government Areas.
“This loan, 150 million US dollars, is the first that we are getting from outside Ebonyi State and Nigeria.
“We are very thankful to you, because this project is a reality, as at today, nobody can pass through the road not by foot, not by keke, not by Okada and by the mercy of God.
“We have the opportunity under our Administration to construct this road, I assure you that Ebonyi State will not remain the same by the time the construction of this road is completed.
“This project is very dear to me, this project has components of Community Social responsibility and each of the lots has 2.5 kilometres of internal road to be built with the same standard.”
Earlier, the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Concession, Mr. Fidelis Nweze, said the signing of the contract followed due process, open bidding process was carried out and the successful bidders engaged for the construction.
In a remark on-behalf of the contractors, the representative of Kakatar Group, Mr. Dakoru Atukpa, expressed appreciation for being considered worthy of executing the project and assured that they would abide by all specifications and deliver on schedule.