John Diidi
The flood situation that previously characterised the Market Junction axis of the Port Harcourt/Aba Express Road, has yet again resurfaced after months of temporary respite.
TPCN learnt that the situation was occasioned by the heavy downpours that began earlier in the month.
The situation, as experienced by TPCN Correspondent, John Diidi, led to the traffic congestion along that busy part of the Port Harcourt/Aba Express Road that lasted long into the night on Friday, thereby forcing many vehicles to divert towards Rumuomasi to First Bank and other routes in the area.
It would be recalled that in 2016, the Rivers State Government awarded contracts for the de-flooding of both Market Junction and St John’s axis of the Port Harcourt/Aba Express Road.
While the ST John’s axis seems to have become a success, the market Junction axis seems to have failed and begs for pertinent answers, one of which is whether Julius Berger really undertook the Job or defrauded Rivers people?.
The question motorists who plied the road last night were inclined to answer was that the contractor, Julius Berger did not do a proper work on the road.
They said the company had not identified the causes of recurring flooding at that section of the Port Harcourt/Aba Express Road.
They added that Julius Berger needs to properly identify the root causes of flooding in the area and proffer urgent solution to it.
The driver of the vehicle carrying our correspondent, who identified himself as Mr. Vincent, told TPCN that he always swam through the flood anytime it rained heavily these days in order to avoid traffic along the alternate route at Rumuomasi, stressing that it is likely to impact negatively on his vehicle.
Mr Vincent commended the Rivers State Government for taking action to checkmate the incessant flooding in the area and urged the contractor to ensure that the effort of the state government did not amount to waste of resources.
Another respondent, a co-passenger named Daniel expressed surprise at the return of flood in the area despite efforts of the construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria Limited, to ensure that the area is free of the flood, saying they had spent almost 4 months working on the road.
He urged the state government to ensure that Julius Berger returns to Market Junction to continue with the work, stressing that going forward, the situation is capable of causing untold hardship to motorists as well as businesses within the area, and that failure of the company to return, means they’ve colluded with Government officials to defraud Rivers people, with the previous work being a charade.
