An indigenous construction company, Sermatech Nigeria Limited, and the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) have lambasted a group under the aegis of Cross River South Consultative Forum for misinforming the public over the ongoing dualisation of a portion of the Odukpani-Itu highway being handled by different firms in the sector.
The group had on November 28 appealed to the Federal Government to revoke the section of the 97-kilometre road given to Sermatech, alleging that the company lacked the expertise to handle a 50-kilometre stretch of the difficult terrain spanning from Ikot-Nyong in Onim Ankiong Ward of Odukpani Local Government Area, Cross River State to Oku-Iboku in Itu LGA of Akwa Ibom State with five bridges.
But in a statement issued on Sunday by the Cross River State representative of Sermatech, Mr Ento Edako, the appeal by the group calling for the revocation of the contract was based on ignorance.
Contrary to the group’s claim that Sermatech was handling a 50km stretch of the road, Edako said the company was only handling 28km of the 97km Odukpani-Itu highway which cuts across Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
The statement read in part, “The portion that was mentioned is not within the Sermatech section. But rather Julius Berger. This portion spanning the Odukpani junction to the Power plant area is under the purview of Julius Berger.
“The number of bridges under Sermatech is four, not five as stated by this faceless group. Out of the four bridges in our section, we have fully constructed and completed two; the Atan and Okpokong bridges, respectively.
“Sermatech has intervened on this portion twice when traffic collapsed to ameliorate the suffering of commuters. This was before Faith Plant went to do their palliatives.
“The Cross River South Consultative Forum should get proper information from project stakeholders such as Federal Ministry of Works or NNPC in other not to mislead the public. It should be of great concern for all to note that the particular area of concern is not under Sermatech but Julius Berger.
“Since we commenced work in the Odukpani-Itu Road, no section within our stretch of work has collapsed. This is because we carry out palliative work continually to ensure the free flow of traffic. Advice to Cross River South Consultative Forum is for them to always cross-check their facts before going to press so as not to misinform the people.”
Similarly, the NSE, in a statement by the Calabar chapter Chairman, Dr Desmond Ewa, condemned in totality the misguided information being circulated by the group, pointing out that the deplorable stretch in question belongs to Julius Berger Plc and not Sermatech.
According to NSE, “We had conducted several site inspection visits to the project to monitor progress and conformity to standards. Sermatech is doing well and should be commended.
“Even the Minister in his last visit to the project, praised Sermatech for a job well done. The deplorable stretch in question belongs to Julius Berger Plc and not Sermatech, who has only about 28km awarded to her.
“NSE is advising the socio-political group to desist from distracting the contractor and to allow work to progress. This road is the only link to the state capital and every well-meaning Cross Riverian should support its completion. They should rather put pressure on the Federal Government to resolve compensation issues bedevilling the project.”
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