Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Steve Oru, has as­sured Nigerians that the East-West Road will be completed before Decem­ber this year.
Oru, who gave the assur­ance during his inspection tour of the road from Warri to Oron in Akwa-Ibom State at the weekend, said effort would be made to actualise the presi­dential mandate and deliver the project according to speci­fication.
At the Kaima Bridge proj­ect, the minister expressed dis­may over the work being done by Setraco Construction Com­pany Limited, and ordered that the bridge be completed be­fore the end of this year.
Dr. Oru, however, com­mended Gitto Construction Company for perfectly and efficiently handling the road project.
“I am particularly im­pressed with the work and warm reception of Gitto Com­pany. They have actually done well in ensuring that the proj­ect is perfectly executed ac­cording to specification,” said the minister, who also lauded the efforts of Reynow Con­struction Company (REC).
However, the Managing Director of the firm, Chief Rasdie Ghanien, commended the minister for his foresight and vision, but pleaded with the minister that compensa­tion be paid to the people of the area.
“Sir, the ministry has done well in empowering the firm to execute its project. We are ready to do more in ensuring that the president’s mandate is actualised,” said Ghanien.
On the skill acquisition cen­tres at Ibeno and Otuoke, Oru said the Federal Gov­ernment was serious about the project, which he said would empower the people in the Niger Delta region.
Consequently, the min­ister asked that the three construction firms, Gitto, RCC and Setraco, should meet with him in Abuja on Tuesday for further brief­ing.

East-West Road to be completed before December – Niger Delta minister