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Obasanjo in Uyo, hails Nigerian firm
•Over erosion project
TONY ITA ETIM, and INEM AKPAN-NSOH,
in Uyo
IMPRESSED
by the performance of the indigenous contractor handling the Ekparakwa-Ekpene
erosion control and road project in Akwa Ibom State, Roudo Nigeria Limited,
President Olusegun Obasanjo week-end commended it for job well done.
The president, who lauded the firm’s
effort at Ndon Utim, Etinan council area of the state during his official visit
to the area, said Rondo did better than some foreign contractors.
Chairman of Roudo, Chief Tony Ojukwu, said
the erosion control work and a bridge, under construction, were done by
Nigerians from conception to completion.
Chukwu noted that Nigerians are capable of
performing and appealed to both the federal and state governments to challenge
them with jobs and witness impressive results.
President Obasanjo said Rondo’s
performance was a testimony to the proficiency of local contractors to execute
quality jobs if they are determined to do so.
The President who challenged other local
contractors to emulate Rondo, advised the contractor to keep up with the
performance and quality of job.
President Obasanjo said it was
heart-warming to know that an indigenous contractor had executed a job of such
magnitude.
Obasanjo also hailed the Niger Delta
Development Commission (NDDC) which awarded the 11.2 kilometre road project and
a 20-metre bridge to the company.
The President said he was impressed by the
programmes and projects of the commission and charged the management to do more.
Chukwu told newsmen that the erosion
construction work and the bridge under construction was done by Nigerians from
start to finish.
According to him, there is no input from
any expatriate, adding that Nigerians are capable of doing more than road
construction or building bridges.
He appealed to the federal and state
governments to encourage and patronise local contractors by giving them
challenging jobs and contracts to execute.
The chairman said it is only through
giving jobs to Nigerian contractors that they can learn from their experiences,
build capacity and be more professional in their jobs.
Chukwu noted that the multinational
companies started from somewhere with a small project and with time went
international.
He said if given the opportunity, Nigerian
contractors can compete favourably with their foreign counterparts and even vie
for jobs outside Nigeria.
Chukwu noted that his company is also
handling the construction of Iko-Atabrikany-Akata-Opilon-Okoro-Utip-Iwouchang
road in Ibeno local government area of the state.
The project has two bridges of 31 and 100
metres.
The Ekparakwa-Ekpene Ukpa road serves
communities in Oruk Anam, Mkpat Enin and Etinan local government areas.
In his speech during the President’s visit
chairman of Etinan Local Government Council, Mr. Aniefiok King thanked NDDC and
the contractor for their collaborative efforts at seeing that the work is
concluded.
According to him the road had re-opened
the entire area for increased social and economic life.
He, however, pleaded with the Federal
Government to extend the road from Ekpene-Ukpa to Ikot Ubo as a planned in the
original contract which he said was awarded since the First Republic.
The President led by his host, Gov. Victor
Attah later left for Ikot Ebidang to inspect a multi-million naira rice farm,
supported by Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited.
President Obasanjo who had interacted with
a cross section of Akwa Ibom people before setting out, commissioned the Science
Centre at Eket, the Wena-ita-Okopedi road and also inspected the completed
General Hospital, all in Okobo local government council.
Other projects inspected by the President on his second
day in Akwa Ibom State included, the proposed International Airport site in
Okobo, Shelter Afrique Housing Estate, Abak-Ete road and Ibagwa bridge.
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