A’Ibom: Tabernacle/ Itam Underground Drainage Project Ready December

The over 12-meter-deep Tabernacle Underground drainage project running across the Calabar Itu Highway connecting the pipe jacking trough system will be ready by December 2024.

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga, confirmed this in an interaction with journalists led by Dr. Essien Ndueso, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, after an on-the-spot project assessment.

Ibanga, who was accompanied by consultant engineers and project managers from his ministry, mandated the contractors, Nsik Engineering Ltd., to do everything possible to ensure the delivery of the project by December to enable the free flow of traffic along the ever-busy Calabar-Itu Highway affected by the project.

In the same vein, the construction work to dualise the deplorable Uyo Village Road is underway, as the contractor, AMITEC, has already been mobilised to the site to start work immediately.

Prof. Eno Ibanga, who said his team is effectively monitoring the progress of work on the drainage and road projects to ensure their speedy completion and durability, appealed to residents of the area and road users to be a little more patient with the government.

Prof. Ibanga noted, “This is a highly technical job, and safety is important. It is a bit more difficult because we are battling with climate change and the excessive rains have affected the pace of work. Before we can cast, we have to take away the waters and desilt the trough.”

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“We will have manholes at different low points around this area for this underground drainage to ensure efficient discharge of floods from all the surrounding environs into the drainage system. Before the end of this month, the casting will be completed, and we will restore the road.”

Contrary to speculations that the contractor has failed, Prof. Ibanga highlighted that the project consultant and project engineers are assigned to every government project, and they report to the site each day to ensure the contractor is working according to specifications, adding that work has never stopped on the project.

On the Uyo Village Road, he opined, “The contractors have acquired a site for their equipment on the road.

“The project starts from the junction of Calabar-Itu Road and stretches to Wellington Bassey Way. It also has two bridges.”

Responding to the contractor handling the drainage project, Elder Nsikak Johnny of Nsik Engineering stressed that the company has the needed equipment, experience and expertise to deliver the project, notwithstanding the menace caused by frequent rains.

“Most times, we are slowed down by the ceaseless downpour and have to work round the clock pumping out rainwater from the drainage, desilt sand and continue casting. The consultant working with us is one of the best in the state. We follow strict engineering instructions and specifications.”

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The Tabernacle Road project is a major de-flooding work to reclaim the entire area and provide respite for thousands of residents in the Uyo and Itu local government areas.

The actual construction of the 2.2 km adjoining Tabernacle road project will commence once the 0.97 km underground drainage is completed.

The Works Commissioner, who also addressed residents of the affected areas, regretted the poor state of some adjoining roads in the area and assured them of the government’s willingness to bring succour to them at the shortest possible time.

“The important thing for now is how we can handle the flood challenge and rid Tabernacle Road and Nelson Mandela Road, among others, of the incessant flooding, so that most people who had migrated from those communities can start returning to their homes,” he added.