By Joy Onoshevwe
To ascertain the effects of the present flood on on-going road projects in Isoko axis of the state, the Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Hon. Solomon Gorley, has paid on the spot accessment visit to the various construction sites in the locality.
The commissioner, accompanied by engineers from the Ministry of Works, was received by HRH Murphy Urugbezi of Ellu at old Ellu Adadhe Road, Ellu Phase 1, in Isoko North Local Government Area, where a flood ravaging distance of about 300m and eroded ashphat at some points were observed.
The on-going Ellu Internal Road – Ovie Street with a discharge channel of 200m was not spared as the flood has covered about 300m and the drains overflowing, keeping the project on hold.
An attempt by the commissioner and his team to access Idheze Internal Road Phase 1 construction, the rehabilitation of Ashphat Overlay of Edherie – Ase Road and the Rehabilitatation/Reconstruction of Emede Internal Road all in Isoko South Local Government Area was thwarted by the flood as adjoining roads were over flooded.
The commissioner proceeded further to Okpolo/Enhwe/Uwheru Road, Phase III in Isoko South, but the entire ongoing project was already submerged by flood as the commissioner had to go through and around the flooded road with a boat, with the contractor’s equipment already trapped and materials wasted.
ln a remark, the Director of Riverine Roads, Engr. Lofty Onyemali, stated that the ministry would do a revisit to the affected road projects after the flood and device a means to cushion the effects on the contractors and the people, with an intention of possible indemnifying the contractors and rehabilitating earlier completed projects.
Speaking earlier, the contractors handling some of the projects stated that they had already filled the road before the flood, noting that a lot of loss had been incurred as most of their materials had been eroded by the flood.