Some irregularities, including duplications in the award of contracts, have been uncovered by Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Fact-finding on the East-West Road project.

The projects are domicile in the Southsouth, members of the committee noted.

According to committee, the duplications were discovered in the award of same projects by the Federal Ministry of Works, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); the governments of the states in the region and the local governments.

It also said there were compromises on the road with regards to engineering concepts and construction.

Committee Chairman Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi dropped the hint yesterday in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, when he led members of the committee on a fact-finding mission.

He said: “One thing we have found out on ground of awards by the federal ministry of Works, NDDC, the various State governments of the Niger Delta region and even the local governments.

“We were also disturbed that while we have noticed dilapidation of the road, we have clearly seen from the initial concept engineering that they did not do the scientific testing of the soil; of getting the required attention on the road and that has to do with some compromises. This is unacceptable as far as I’m concerned.”

The senator assured that the committee will hold a public hearing on the East-West Road during which those responsible for the engineering design will be made to answer questions.

Ningi expressed disappointment that the road had defied four administrations of – presidents Obasanjo; the late Musa Yar’Adua, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari.

He assured that the road would be completed during the tenure of the 10th National Assembly.

Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Éno stressed the importance of the East-West Road to the economic development of the region. He urged the committee to ensure its completion.

Éno, who was represented by his deputy Akon Eyakenyi, said: ”The importance of the construction of East-West road cannot be overemphasized for it will boost the economy and bring development to the rural communities it passes through.

“In your remarks, you did mention that you will have to look into the finances; what was released; why was it not used and so on. I am very certain that the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will dig deep into the finances released for the construction of the East-West Road.

“During the Ninth Assembly, budgetary provisions were made for the East-West Road construction, approved and released, but who got the money and how was it used?

“As you are coming for this fact-finding assignment, I will encourage you to investigate into the issue. If money was released and not used for the purpose, please let what is to be done be done.

“The Section 4 of the road – from Eket and terminating at Uya-Oro Junction, needs to be properly dualised and completed. It’s not something that will start collapsing after two or 10 years. We need a proper construction to be done.

“I want to appeal that you should not only look at into the Section 4, please also get into Section 5 of road which moves from Uya-Oro to Cross River because if we had that alternative way, now that the Calabar-Itu road is bad, We would not have suffered this much”.

Controller of Works, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Berida Onayesemi, expressed confidence that issues about the road would soon be ironed out. (The Nation)

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