Construction work on the failed section of the Akiama Road including the culvert in the area would commence once the dry season sets in, the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, David Irimagha has said.

He also said that the envisaged construction work would be a total overhaul of the failed section of the road to avert a reoccurrence of the situation given the marshy nature of the environment.

This is coming against the backdrop of rising resentment over the prolonged delay in fixing the failed section of the road which has been closed for repairs for precisely 10 months and four days today.

FAILED SECTION OF THE AKIAMA ROAD BEING SHUT DOWN BY OFFICIALS OF THE BONNY LG COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2019

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Irimagha made this disclosure in response to Kristina Reports’ enquiry about the status of the construction work on that section of the road, which was closed for repairs by the Works department of the Bonny Local Government Council on October 16, 2019.   

He stated that “due to the complexities of the job and weather condition in Bonny, government is waiting for the dry season which will be upon us shortly to carry out repairs so that the work can be sustainable”.

“We are set, just waiting for the rains to subside a little. It will be a total overhaul to avert a reoccurrence.”

He pointed out that the wet season was not favourable to infrastructural development in the area as the marshy topography of the Bonny environment makes it difficult to carry out sustainable construction projects in the area.

“You will recall the Ghana woman bridge as a case in point, it was during the dry season we did it and you can see the quality of work done. Aside that, also observe that all other projects so far done were done during dry seasons.”

The Akiama Road represents a key factor in the Akiama-Oguede-Abalamabie economic corridor in Bonny LGA as it connects communities such as Akiama, Oguede, Abalamabie, Longjohn, Bagg Jumbo, and Eagle Forest.

Strategically located on that axis are the Forward Operating Base of the Nigerian Navy, Ibanise Hall, Bonny Information Centre, Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Coconut Estate, and Community Secondary School, Abalamabie, among others.

Since its closure last October motorists and pedestrians have been subjected to the harrowing experience of having to make a detour through the Aye Road off the Abalamabie Road to access Akiama Community and the various facilities and institutions in that area.

Residents who spoke to Kristina Reports expressed concern over the delay in repairing the road and opening it up for use for people in the area, regretting that several businesses have had to shut down or relocate due to the challenge of accessing the area.

The Bonny LG Chairman appealed for the understanding of the people of the area, assuring that “yeah, I appreciate the challenges they face in the area since we shut down the road. I want them to just be patient with us as we shall soon swing into action to fix the road.

“I have their interest at heart and by the time we are through with the work on the road and the culvert they will smile, I assure them. I will continue to pursue the interest of my people and do what will make them smile.”