By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Federal Government, on Monday, assured South-East residents of its commitment to complete all ongoing road projects meant to improve living condition and wellbeing of the people.

Mr Charles Abana, Team Leader South-East Project Verification Team from Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), gave the assurance while monitoring and physically verifying the ongoing rehabilitation of old Enugu – Port Harcourt Road.

Abana said that the Federal Government wished that the projects were completed on time, but owing to the COVID-19 and other economic challenges the timing for the completion of the projects had to be rescheduled.

“The Federal Government is raising more funds for the projects and the Federal Government doesn’t mind borrowing to ensure it funds these projects and make the people feel impact of good governance.

“However, recently the contractor handling the old Enugu – Port Harcourt Road received some funding from the Federal Government and as we can see the contractor is really pushing the work ahead even beyond what has been paid,” he said.

The team leader, however, appealed to residents to exercise some patients with the government as it realises it noble objective of opening up the agrarian communities with the network of viable and strategic roads especially in the South-East.

“I will appeal to the people to continue to give the government and contractor maximum cooperation as the road project progresses further so that they reap the benefits of improved socio-economic wellbeing,” he said.

On the road project, he said that the team was satisfied with the level and quality of work done so far, adding that the contractor handling the project, Setraco Nigeria Limited, had shown commitment in spite shortfall in funding.

Abana, who is the Head of Legal, Investigation and Enforcement of FRC, said: “The quality of road done here would definitely last for some number of years before experiencing breakdown.

“We are happy with the contractor for having confidence in the Federal Government and continuing work even as it awaits payment for the phases of the work completed and verified certificate raised for them so far.”

According to him, the contractor has given us an assurance to complete the main portion of the road before the year runs out and work on the spur portion by next year.

Speaking, Engr. Fouad Sarraf, Area Manager (South-East) of Setraco Nigeria Limited, said that the only challenge of the road project was funding.

“The government has only paid about two certificates of over five certificates of the phases of the work completed and raised; and the company is being owed N2.1 billion for work verified and certificated on already.

“The residents of this area have been highly cooperative and friendly with our staff as we work daily here,” Sarraf said.

The old Enugu – Port Harcourt Road spans through the stretch of Agbogugu community in Awgu council area to Abia State border; and spur to some internal routes within Mmaku and other communities in Awgu council area as well.

The total contract sum is N13.9 billion; while only N3.3 billion had been paid to the contractor so far.