By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
SERMATECH Construction Company, awarded the contract for four bridges on the Calabar-Itu Road, has completed two bridges out of the four bridges which contract was awarded to the construction firm.
Spokesperson of the construction company, Bogus Aiks, made this know while answering questions from journalists at weekend in Calabar.
He said,”Out of four bridges in our section, we have fully constructed and completed two – Atan and Okpokong bridges, respectively.
“The third bridge, Ayadeghe, is at the capping beam level; all precast beams are completed and the two abutment walls also completed.”
The SERMATECH Public Relations Officer, PRO, stated that four existing old bridges had been rehabilitated to give the bridges a face lift.
The PRO maintained that the firm is in charge of the 28-kilometre road construction, and not 50-kilometre as wrongly reported, adding that the portion of the road that is in contention does not fall within the purview of SERMATECH.
Recalled that some stakeholders had raised eyebrows concerning the quality of jobs done o the Calabar – Itu Road, accusing SERMATECH of doing a shoddy job.
But in a swift reaction to the allegation, the road construction firm denied the allegation, stressing that the allegations were nothing but false.
The PRO said, “We call on stakeholders and other agencies to get proper information from project stakeholders such as the Federal Ministry of Works or NNPC in other not to mislead the public.
“We did 67 kilometre from Iyamotong to Akpet 1 successfully. We are currently rehabilitating from Akpet 1 to Odupkani Junction. 25 kilometre out 75 kilometre has been completed. Paucity of funds from the Federal Government is the cause of delay.
“We equally wish to state that the rehabilitation of Alesi-Ugep has never been abandoned. SERMATECH mobilised to the site in 2014 and commenced works, even before it was mobilised.”
In a statement issued by the PRO and made available to our orrespondent in Calabar, the company’s PRO said,
“Since we commenced work in the Odukpani-Itu Road, no section within our stretch of work, has collapsed. This is because we carry out palliative works continually to ensure free flow of traffic.
“SERMATECH had, twice, carried out palliative interventions on the portion of the road when traffic collapsed,
even though it is not under its purview all, in a bid to ameliorate the suffering of commuters and other road users.
“Already, we have again commenced palliative work on our portion of the road to ease access for motorists and other road users as we approach the Yuletide. This is in line with the Federal Ministry of Works’ directives that federal roads be made motorable this season.
“We call on stakeholders and other agencies to get proper information from project stakeholders, such as Federal Ministry of Works or NNPC in other not to mislead the public.
