PRESIDENTIAL MONITORING COMMITTEE

REPORT ON INSPECTION OF MNDA/NDDC PROJECTS /CONSTRUCTION OF EAST- WEST ROAD

It is common knowledge that the creation NDDC in 2001, was basically intended to make it a major driver in the development of the oil rich Niger Delta Region. However, this goal has remained a mirage over many years due largely to lack of effective leadership. The narrative start to change at the inception of the current administration of His Excellency President Mohammed Buhari, who in his wisdom appointed an uncommon leader in the person of Sen. Godswill Akpabio to turn the fortunes of the region around through his Midas touch.  

No wonder the commission has recorded landmark achievements in the last few years of his leadership, the list is numerous.

Presidential Monitoring Committee

In the light of the forgoing, one of the potent instruments of enhancing quality and steady delivery of NDDC Projects was the constitution of the Presidential Monitoring Team by President through the visionary leader.

The committee is saddled with the monitoring and inspection of projects across all the nine component states of NDDC.

The committee has been up and doing in relation to its mandate and can boldly testify that all engaged contractors have taken their jobs seriously more than ever before and are moving in the right direction.

EAST-WEST ROAD PROJECT INSPECTION MAY 2021

1. EAST – WEST ROAD is a major economic and social corridor linking the many segments in the oil rich region. Extensive construction work is ongoing on the projects to a reasonable fraction by a renowned Road construction company, GITTO COSTRUZIONI GENERALI NIGERIA LTD.

The construction of this road was revitalized after many years of abandonment. The quantum of economic benefits that this reconstruction has brought to this environment and its people cannot be over emphasised, a plus for the NDDC, the ministry of Niger Delta, and the Federal Government at large.

2. DUALISATION OF THE EAST-WEST ROAD (SECTION IV) ONNA/EKET-ORON ROAD IN AKWA IBOM STATE

SCOPE OF WORKS

This contract involves the following:

1.  increasing the existing single carriageway to a dual carriageway of 2x 7.3m road pavement, 2.75m outer shoulder and 1.0m inner shoulders with 4m and 10m wild median, respectively.
2. Rehabilitation and improvement of the existing single carriageway by strengthening existing embankment and pavement layers and provision of new asphaltic concrete courses where necessary.
3. The construction of additional lane running parallel to the existing alignment by provision of compacted natural and excavated laterite material as sub-grade, and sub-base.
4. The provision of crushed rock as based course. The works also involve.
5. Construction of 6No bridges including the 398m major Eket Bridge over Qua River. Several existing drainage and facilities shall be rehabilitated while other road safety and comfort facilities shall be provided.

It is gratifying to note that during our inspection that the work scope is discovered to have aligned with this work specifications.

3. GENERAL PROGRESS REPORT

The project length is 51km (km 99+000-km 150+000) of the East- West Road in this layout: 

BRIDGE WORKS

a) BRIDGE NO 1 at Ch: 109+332 (Eket Bridge) is 12 spans with about 400m length.

All components of the bridge have been completed with exception of expansion joints, pavement, and rehabilitation of the existing bridge. The Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio via his Ministry had approved Deck-on-Piles for this bridge, and the Contractor has mobilized equipment here, ready for piling.

COMPLETED

b) BRIDGE NO 2 at Ch. 119 + 888 is 28m single span.

Remark. The bridge has been completed.

c) BRIDGE NO 3 at Ch. 124+326 is 30m single span.

Remark: The bridge has been completed.

d) BRIDGE NO 4 at Ch. 143 + 521 is 30m single span.

Remark:  The bridge has been completed.

SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED

4.A BRIDGE NO 5A at Ch. 148 + 553 is 31m single span.

REMARKS: All components of the bridge have been completed with exception of Deck-on- Piles which the Headquarters approved for this bridge also. This is yet to commence.

4.B      BRIDGE NO 5B at Ch. 148+553 is 31m single span.

REMARK:  All components of the bridge have been completed with exception of Deck-on-Piles which the Headquarters also approved for this bridge. The Contractor has completed the entire 14No. piles for this bridge. Work is in progress.

5. CULVERTS (SUMMARY)

Total culverts diameter both single, double, and triple cell pipe diameter amounting to 6500mm including.

Box culvert 15No. are fully completed.

6. PERCENTAGE COMPLETION OF OTHER WORKS

• Binder and Track Coat         –       97.77%
• Wearing Course                    –        95.30%
• Culverts, Drains and Chutes –      97.77%

Interestingly, these projects were awarded in September 2006 with a commencement date of October 2006 and completion date of April 2011 as contracted. However, due to lack of sincere commitment the project was abandoned, until the appointment of the Uncommon transformer, Sen. Dr Godswill Obot Akpabio.

As an uncommon emancipator Sen. Akpabio has within a space of 20 months, ensured the rapid implementation of the contract to 94.82% completion.

The people of the region are eternally grateful to the leadership of President Mohammed Buhari, who has shown commitment to commissioning this road by second quarter of 2022.

EKET BYPASS (DUAL CARRIAGEWAY) AS AN ADDENDUM TO THE DUALIZATION OF EAST-WEST ROAD (SECTION IV).

SCOPE OF WORKS

This particular contract as approved by President Muhammed Buhari involves the following:

1. Construction of Eket bypass as an addendum to the Dualization of East-West Road Section IV.
2. Dual carriage way of 2×7.3m road pavement, 2.75m outer shoulders, 1.70m inner shoulders, 0.06m median, trapezoidal drains, U. drains, Culverts, excavated lateritic materials as sub-grade, 150mm sub-base, 200mm crushed rock as based course,
3. Protection of embankment and the provision of concrete asphalt comprising of 60mm binder and 40mm wearing courses. The said project travers’s town, virgin land and swampy areas which would involve removal of unsuitable materials, filling of sharp sand and provision of geotextile materials as filters to reduce water table and pore pressure on pavement.
4. Relocation of public utilities and compensation for crops, economic trees, building structures to ensure right of way for the execution of works as shown in the pictures below.

PROJECT PROFILE

Project length:         97.75KM

DATE OF AWARD               27^th May 2019

DATE OF COMMENCEMENT.  28^th October 2020

DATE OF COMPLETION:            26^th April 2022

LAPSE OF CONTRACT PERIOD: 33.76%

Percentage completion of physical work: 10.76%

Contractor:                               MESSERS GITTO COSTRUZIONI GENERALI NIG. LTD

WORKS PROGRESS                     % COMPLETION                     REMARKS

SITE CLEARING                              65.80%                                    in progress

EARTHWORKS                                3.2%                                       In progress

CULVERTS, DRAINS, CHUTES            0%                                       –

%COMPLETION                                10.76%                                —

% ELAPSED                                        33.76%                                —

Our further investigation has it that the Gitto Costruzioni Generali Nig. Ltd, has made a remarkable progress with regards to the BYPASS WORKS. See below.

1. SITE CLEARING –

CH0+000-CH1+500- SITE CLEARING -1.50 KM

CH5+175-CH9+750- SITE CLEARING – 4.58KM

TOTAL SITE CLEARING                           = 6.08KM

• REMOVAL OF UNSUITABLE

CH0+000-CH1+500- 1.50KM

CH9+750-CH6+525-3.23KM

• SAND FILE

CH9+750-CH9+300- 450M- SAND FILE ACHIEVED

CH8+216-CH8+100-SAND FILL IN PROGRESS

CH9+300- CH9+150- LHS 150M SAND FILL

• SWAMP

CH9+300=450M-SWAMP- (CLEARING AND REMOVAL OF UNSUITABLE COMPLETED)

CH8+216-CH8+100=116M-SWAMP – (CLEARING AND REMOVAL OF UNSUITABLE COMPLETED)

CH7+200-CH7+100-100M-SWAMP- (CLEARING AND REMOVAL OF UNSUITABLE COMPLETED)

CH6+125-CH5+750- 350M-SWAMP- (CLEARING AND REMOVAL OF UNSUITABLE COMPLETED)

CH6+125-CH5+750-350M-SWAMP – (CLEARING AND REMOVAL OF UNSUITABLE COMPLETED)

CH5+550-CH1+500- 4050M- SWAMP-CLEARING IN PROGRESS.

TOTAL SWAMP=5091=5091M

• CUT TO SPOIL
• CH9+750-CH6+825-2.93km
• CUT TO FILL

CH0+050-CH0+200- 150M-CUT TO FILL

• DEMOLITION OF STRUCTURES

CH0+000-CH1+500

• TOTAL DRY LAND——–    4.66km
• TOTAL SWAMP ————–5.09KM SURVEY AND SUB SOIL INVESTIGATION FOR SUB ALL BYPASS AREAS

Mr Chairman sir, you can be rest-assured that the people of the region are ready for infrastructural expansion and looking up to your visionary leadership, Niger delta must develop. It is, therefore, instructive to note that Nigeria will not respect the region until NDDC, and Ministry of Niger Delta earn that respect.

Conclusion

The Presidential Monitoring committee conducted its inspection work successfully around these projects without any hitch and satisfied with the progress of work in all this project sites visited, it was indeed an eye opener to the committee on the monumental breakthrough that the NDDC and Ministry of Niger Delta is bringing into its enclaves. In all this the people around the location of this projects are happy and motivated.

Anthony Ekene Onwuka, LLB Hons,
Special Assistant to HMNDA,
Project Monitoring & Special Duties,
Presidential Monitoring Committee on NDDC