The Governor of Rivers State Siminalayi Fubara, mandated Julius Berger Nigeria PLC to complete the 9.7-kilometer Ogbakiri Town road project within an eight-month timeframe.
Emphasizing the road’s socio-economic value to local communities, Fubara highlighted that the project aims to enhance access and connectivity for six communities along the route, from Emohua on the East-West Road to the waterside at Egbelu-Oduoha-Ogbakiri.
During an inspection visit on Tuesday, Fubara disclosed that his administration awarded the project at a cost of approximately N15 billion, with a 30 percent mobilization fee—about N4.5 billion—already paid to the contractor.
“Julius Berger has already begun work on the initial stretch, and we felt it would be appropriate for them to bring the same quality to this road, ensuring uniformity,” Fubara said.
“They have assured us that the project will be completed within eight months,” he continued.
The governor underscored his administration’s commitment to improving the quality of life across the state, including in Ogbakiri Town, and hinted at a future plan to connect the road with a bridge to serve riverine communities across the river from Egbelu-Oduoha-Ogbakiri.
“This isn’t a short road—it’s 9.7 kilometers, costing around N15 billion.
This demonstrates our dedication to enhancing the lives of the people here,” Fubara added.
“I personally came to the waterfront to assess the potential for a river crossing to connect both sides, which we’ll consider once this road is complete,” he continued.
In addition to infrastructure, Fubara reiterated his focus on education, visiting Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Rumuola, Port Harcourt, where projects including an Entrepreneurship Centre, Staff Office, and Senate Building are in progress.
He described the Entrepreneurship Centre as vital for equipping students with practical skills to foster economic self-reliance.
“As part of our development program, we assured Rivers residents that our initiatives would extend beyond road construction into education,” he said.
“We engaged the Governing Council to identify key needs, including accommodation, an office block, and completing the Senate Building, which has been pending for eight years.
We’ve already disbursed 50 percent of the project funds for these purposes,” he stated.
Fubara commended the Governing Council’s dedication to advancing the institution and assured sustained support from his administration to further educational progress in Rivers State, reaffirming his commitment to prioritizing development in both infrastructure and education.
