Rivers State House of Assembly has approved a request for Eighteen Billion Naira loan by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, from Access Bank.
The loan will be used to construct the fourth flyover bridge at the GRA junction, Port Harcourt.
This follows a request for the approval sent to the House by Governor Wike which was read by the Speaker Rt Hon Ikunyi Ibani at the beginning of the plenary.
Wike in the letter said the loan, which will be fully repaid before the end of his tenure in 2023 will be serviced by the internally generated revenue of the state.
He further explained that the loan will accelerate development in the State, take care of the construction of the fourth flyover at GRA junction, dualization of the Mummy B to Stadium road, dualization of Tombia to Ikwerre road and payment of ancillary facilities and properties to be destroyed in course of the projects.
Lawmakers present during the plenary include Hon Evans Bipi, representing Ogu Bolo constituency, Hon. Michael Chinda, Obio-Akpor 2, Hon. Abiye Blessing Pepple representing Bonny Constituency, Hon. Matthew Nenubari Dike; representing Tai Constituency and Hon Martins Amaewhule representing Obio-Akpor 1.
All the 25 lawmakers present at the sitting voted in favour of the request when put to vote by the Speaker.
The House later adjourned to 18th August 2020.
The State Executive Council had on July 22 approved the sum of Eighteen Billion Naira for the construction of the Flyover Bridge.
The amount also covers the dualization of Tombia Extension Road to Ikwerre Road and Ezimgbu Link Road to Stadium Road.
A statement by the state commissioner for information, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim said the project would be executed by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC.
According to him, the length of the roads for expansion is 680 meters while that of the Flyover is 502 meters.
He said the government took the decision to further strengthen its infrastructural development drive.
Pastor Nsirim stated that 20 indigenous engineers would be trained by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC during the contract period as part of the government’s policy on youth empowerment and skills acquisition.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Works, Austin Ben-Chioma said the contract for the Flyover and dualization of the roads was given to Julius Berger Nigeria PLC because of the company’s proven track record.
He said when the project is completed, traffic difficulties experienced at the Ezimgbu Link Road would be a thing of the past.
Mr. Ben-Chioma noted that the project would enhance economic activities and the aesthetics of the state capital.
The Works Commissioner urged Rivers people to show understanding during the construction period for it to be completed on schedule.
