Abonnema Ring Road: …Contractor assures Amanyanabo of Abonnema of completion by April

The contractor handling the Abonnema Ring Road project, O. K. Isokariari & Sons Nigeria Limited, has assured the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, His Majesty, King (Barr.) Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel (ii), Owukori (IX), and the Abonnema Council of Chiefs that the ongoing Ring Road Project would be completed by April and commissioned by May, 2020.

The Managing Director of the construction company, Engr. Obelema O. K. Isokariari gave the assurance in Abonnema Monday, when his team visited the Amanyanabo in his palace to brief him of the progress level of the job.

While expressing regret for the delay of the project, which ought to have been delivered in nine months, he explained that the reason for the delay was a change in the design and delay in payment.

He apprised that the connecting bridge for the 2.3kilometer Ring Road was redesigned from 19 metres to 90 metres and that was partly responsible for the delay.

While also giving the assurances for the completion of the project in April, he commended the Amanyanabo of Abonnema for the peace and support the company had enjoined from him and members of the community throughout the period.

Responding, the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, said the people of Nyemoni were eternally grateful to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike for embarking on the laudable project. He said the issue of road network has been a teething issue, which the governor had observed himself during his visits to the ancient Kalabari town, adding that it would greatly benefit Abonnema and its neighbouring community, Obonoma.

The respected First Class traditional ruler said his council decided to summon the management of the company to brief them the reason for the delay, considering the fact that the State Government had maintained that it had made up to 90% payment, hence the council was worried over the reason for the delay.

“First of all I want to seize the opportunity to express the gratitude of the people of Nyemoni to His Excellency the Governor of Rivers State for embarking on this project.

“He has been to Abonnema a couple of times and he knows that we have issues relating to road network. I’m glad that he sees the opportunity to be the one to construct this road for the people of Abonnema, not only Abonnema but also Obonoma. Because we are neighbors, we live in close proximity. And this road will be of immense benefit to both Abonnema and Obonoma.

“Secondly it became an issue because we were expecting that this road would have been commissioned a little bit earlier than this. When it was not coming forth, we had to find out why the road is still not completed.

“Because we were glad when His Excellency mentioned that he had made substantial payments, as a matter of fact, up to 90% payment for the completion of that project and we believe that with that sort of payment already done, this road ought to have been completed by now so that we can join in the celebration of commissioning of roads.

“That’s why we called on the management to kindly come and explain to us what problems they are having or the challenges they are facing”.

The monarch said the company enjoyed the cooperation of the community because they took full ownership of the project and called for further synergy between the company and the Abonnema Council of Chiefs.