From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Okene-Ajaokuta road
The federal government is to re-award the contract for the construction of Okene-Ajaokuta-Itobe road which has been revoked as a result of poor performance by Scoa Motors, the contractor that earlier handled the project.
The Federal Controller of Works, Kogi state, Engineer Kajogbola Jimoh Olatunde while speaking to journalists on the plight of motorists and commuters plying the route due to the deplorable portion of the road between Ajaokuta to the point of Itobe head bridge of the Niger River, reaffirmed government readiness to re-award the contract for the construction of the road very soon.
The Controller of Works also allayed the fears of the motorists and commuters plying the Ajaokuta-Itobe bridge in Kogi state linking the Eastern part of the country to Abuja affirming that there is no cause for panic as it is intact and can be functional for the next 100 years.
The Controller of Works who was on the spot assessment of the bridge against the backdrop of video clips that went viral suggesting that the bridge was on the verge of being collapsed told journalists that Nigerians should be calm over the false alarm.
According to him the video clip showed disturbing images of the expansion joints which has being causing panic among motorists and passengers who ply the ever busy highway.
When Our Correspondent visited the area Thursday evening, FERMA officials led by its Highway Engineer Sunday Adenusi and some of the field staff were spotted assessing the situation.
Engineer Olatunde noted that the attention of the Agency was drawn to the video clip which portray the bridge as being cut off from the joints.
He explained that the expansion joints which are eighteen in numbers , that is nine on the either side was meant to keep balancing and stability.
He added that the video clip only took cognizance of some joints covers which were removed , hinting that there was no vibration , which means no harm is done to the bridge assuring the road users to disregard the clips as it pose no threat to the road users.
Our correspondent observed that because of the removal of the expansion joint covers, making the underneath to be visible revealing the moving water down below caused panic among the motorists.
Engineer Olatunde explained that a contractor has been engaged by the Federal Ministry of Works who had earlier assess areas that required intervention, assuring that the affected contractor is expected to mobilise to site soon.
