…Charges residents to cross check facts before rushing to press
The Director General of Warri, Uvwie and Environs Special Area Devt Agency, WUEDA, Hon. Prince Godwin Ejinyere has charged residents of the area to carry out thorough investigations before rushing to the press to avoid fake reports capable of heating up the polity.
Prince Ejinyere gave the charge in Warri on Thursday shortly after inspecting the ongoing drainage construction project between Fani-Kayode junction and Total petrol station along Airport Road, Warri being handled by CCECC.
He said he had to rush to that section of Airport Road due to a radio report claiming that CCECC allegedly closed the road, causing heavy traffic hold-up, describing the report as false and hasty.
According to the DG, excavation by CCECC took place only on one side of the road, while the Warri South Council was patching the other side for just a few minutes at that section, temporarily leaving one lane for vehicles to move slowly, while flag men were on ground to direct the traffic to avoid chaos.
This, he said, was what some persons saw and rushed to report at a radio station without proper investigation. He then advised the firm and the Council to work in synergy to forestall a reoccurrence.
He also advised the Acting Director of CCECC, Mr. Bright, and the firm’s Project Manager, Mr. Nan, to ensure that their flag men were always on ground to direct the traffic during unusual situations that could temporarily slow down traffic near their project sites.
He, appealed to road users in the City to be patient, as “ongoing drainage and road construction works in parts of the Oil City are Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori’s efforts to solve the perennial flooding problem in WUEDA’s mandate areas, with a view to beautifying the Metropolis in the long run.”
Meanwhile, Prince Ejinyere has asked the site engineer of CCECC not to back-fill the drainage channel with excavated soil but with only sharp sands as specified in the Bill of Quantity.
While commending CCECC for the fast pace of work, Prince Ejinyere advised the firm to de-silt blocked drainages and ensure good housekeeping always, as “Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has zero tolerance for shoddy jobs and construction sites littered with wastes.”
He told the firm to work according to specifications so that the drainage channel could connect those from Okumagba Layout through the Edjeba channel into the canal, and finally into the Warri River. He also advised the use of tyre excavation in order to minimize encroachment into an existing asphalted road.
Hon. Prince Godwin Eguriase Ejinyere was accompanied on the inspection visit by a team of WUEDA’s civil engineers and other officials of the Agency.
From the plethora of drainage and road construction works going on in parts of the City, it is evident that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is indeed prepared to redeem his promise to restore the lost glory of Warri, Uvwie and their environs. Residents must, therefore, be willing to exercise patience while the projects are being executed.
-Report by the Media Dept of WUEDA
