By Lucky Isibor
The Concerned Ekpoma Eminent Stakeholders Forum (CEESF), in conjunction with Jose Maria Excriva Foundation (JOSEF) and other groups in Ekpoma, last Saturday, 2 November, embarked on on-the-sport- inspection of the ongoing road construction work along Benin/Auchi Express way, at the Ekpoma corridor by BUA Construction Company Ltd.
The inspection was led by Comr. Dr. Jude Obasanmi, Chief Responsibility Officer, JOSEF, who also doubles as the convener of CEESF. The team started their inspection from Ujoelen junction through Ehanlen junction after Matrix Oil along the Benin/Auchi Expressway, Ekpoma. The team observed that the work was going on as expected, particularly in the areas of deployment of men, materials, and equipment. They also observed that no proper provision was made for erosion control, particularly in most of the erosion prone areas. The team interacted with the Director, Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Issac Acha, who said that the road construction was a Federal Government project. He appealed for calm and support as regards the observations of the team.
A Senior Project Officer to BUA, who pleaded anonymity, added to the views expressed by the Director pointing out that the templates for the road construction were reviewed periodically with particular reference to the environmental and other ecological consequences on the host community.
The team also monitored the township roads in Ekpoma and observed that some of the drains constructed along Ujoelen road, Market road, Ihunmudumu, Ukpenu, were blocked with sand and domestic waste. The team also observed that the sand removed from drainages were not removed immediately thereby allowing the sand to be washed back into the drain when it rains.
Speaking at the end of the inspection exercise, CEESF convener, Comrade Obasanmi assured that the groups will continue to engage the project supervisors and contractors to ensure the contract is executed to standard specification.
“CEESF shall continue to engage the Project Manager in maintaining standards and to be sure the road meets the expectation of the community. We also appeal to the Council Chairman, Hon. Amb. Collins Agbogun to help in clearing the drains and removing sand from some of our major roads. We equally appeal to residents within the Ekpoma axis, to maintain good hygiene and environmental safety always, particularly with the dry season setting-in gradually”.
Also present during the inspection were, Comrades, Abulu Matthew (co-Converner), Dcn. Lawrence Isiraojie (Scribe), Babatunde James, Steve Ehimare, Friday Ukpoko, Wahab Oriafoh, Omonye Onons, Festus Anelu, Austin Matthew, Thomas Mark among others.