The Federal Roads Upkeep Company has expressed its dedication to the systematic restoration of failed sections of federal roads in Rivers State.
The engineer answerable for FERMA’s Rivers State Area Workplace, Engr. Adoga Asikhia said in the course of the inspection of the continued highway upkeep venture of the brand new airport hyperlink highway in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre native authorities areas of the state on Tuesday.
Asikhia mentioned, “Our main focus is the systematic restoration of the roads by patching the potholes and reinstating failed sections. In a while, we’ll embark on pavement strengthening of the roads, vegetation management and desilting of carriageways and shoulders.”
He added the company goals to maintain the venture which began final 12 months to make sure that the highway is at all times in good situation whereas cautioning motorists to shun dangerous driving habits and cling to security guidelines to keep away from accidents.
He added, “That is undoubtedly a steady course of. We began this factor final 12 months. So the company is actually working to make sure that the highway, this specific highway, always is in good using situation for motorists.
“We wish to advise motorists that the pace restrict which the highway security has inspired all people to make use of, ought to be maintained, as a result of this isn’t a significant freeway, that the pace ought to be reduce down. Simply this morning, an accident and a automobile overturned due to excessive pace and we’ve got a number of bends round right here.
“So we’re hoping that the motorists will train warning in seeing that at any time when they’re utilizing the highway, they be certain that their pace restrict goes in accordance to what’s prescribed on the roads.”
On funding, he acknowledged that whereas funding stays a basic drawback within the county, the company is doing properly because the administration ensures that funds are made obtainable to the sector workplace to hold out the upkeep.
Asikhia, nonetheless, decried the drainage on the highway which he described as insufficient and one of many causes of highway failures and main problem affecting the venture.
He added, “The poor drainage situation of the highway has affected the highway. The best way the highway is designed, there was no provision for drainages, so water doesn’t discover quick access, so the water now ponds on the roads, thereby ensuing within the failure of the roads.”
He referred to as on the state authorities to concentrate to the drainage state of affairs saying, “We pray that the state will look into going into drainage services, offering drainage infrastructures on this highway, as a result of it’s going to be an in depth work.
“I don’t actually know why no drainage was supplied within the first place. Not that there aren’t any drainages, it’s simply that it isn’t correctly accomplished to adequately cater to the move of water on the highway. There are drainages, nevertheless it’s insufficient to cater for the highway.”
The FERMA venture within the state covers Port Harcourt-Isiokpo-Elele-Omerelu-Imo State border highway and the Airport hyperlink highway.