Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has approved the award of contracts worth N78 billion to Julius Berger Nigeria Limited for the construction of three flyover bridges and road expansion in the Warri/Effurun area of the state.

Oborevwori made the approval at the Delta State Executive Council meeting presided over by him in Asaba, the state capital, on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Engr Fred Edafiogho, said the approval of the contracts were aimed at solving the gridlock often experienced in the twin cities.

Edafiogho said the contracts included the design and construction of flyover bridge at Enerhen junction to Marine Gate; study, design and construction of road expansion and improvement works on the section of the DSC/NPA expressway from Effurun roundabout to DSC roundabout, including construction of a 3/4 Cloverleaf interchange at the existing Effurun Flyover Bridge as well as two pedestrian bridges.

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Others are design and construction of a flyover bridge at PTI junction and DSC roundabout along the Effurun/Patani, East-West highway, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

Edafiogho further stated that the project road expansion works on the DSC/NPA expressway will provide two lanes of restricted carriageway at the centre for through-traffic, adding that another two lanes of service road in each travel direction would bring the current capacity of the road from four lanes to eight lanes.

He said side drains would be provided along the stretch to convey stormwater to the swamp that runs beside the road and pipeline in addition to provide free flow of traffic for a distance of 4.359km with cloverleaf interchanges and U-turns allowing for unimpeded flow.

He added that the four projects have a duration of 27 months with a probable completion date of December 2025.

Also speaking, the Delta State Commissioner for Works, (Highways and Urban Roads), Reuben Izeze, said Governor Oborevwori’s approval of the projects was in fulfillment of his promise to give Warri/Uvwie a facelift.

He said the justification for choosing Julius Berger was due to their experience and competitive pricing in relation to the quality of works and timely delivery of projects.

On his part, the Delta State Commissioner for Finance, Fidelis Tilije, said the contract was worth N78 billion, noting that the state government would make 25 per cent advance payment of N19.5 billion with the balance paid through an ISPO for 30 months.

The Star