EOG Charges Setraco, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs To Improve East/West Road Standard
3 min read
by Oyagiri Chime-emele
The National Chairman of Ekpeye Oil And Gas Pipelines Host Families Association (EOG), Comrade Dogini Chidi, has charged
Setraco and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA) to improve on the standard of materials used in the construction of East/West road .
Comrade Dogini
gave the charge on Saturday, August 7th, during an inspection and assessment tour of the road to identify bad spots and poor drainages that had caused increased flooding of some Ekpeye communities.
Dogini blamed Setraco, a civil construction company in charge of the road, for deliberately reducing the sizes of culverts , which he noted, would not be able to accomodate the large quantity of water that would arise due to the flood.
Dogini, who lamented the needless loss of lives on the road due to the poor job executed by Setraco, further pointed out that drainages were supposed to be constructed on the road, especially in the areas that cut across communities,
He warned that the people would not continue to fold their hands and watch their destinies being destroyed by contractors who want to maximize profits at their expense, noting that legal actions would be taken against such persons.
Also speaking to newsmen, the chairman of Ekpeye Council of Chiefs and Traditional Rulers, His Royal Highness, Eze Ikaki S. Ikaki bemoaned the slow pace of work, which according to him had caused avoidable accidents.
Ikaki warned that Setraco should do everything possible to avoid the obstruction of free flow of water and flooding of the communities along the East/West road.
“It has not been this bad, where communities along the East/ West road and beyond are totally submerged. And the flood is said to be coming again.
“Setraco’s style has exposed my people to untold hardship, much hunger and suffering,” the royal father stressed.
Responding, a Setraco Engineer, Mr Austin assured that the complaints are noted and would be worked on to end the flood menace.
He pointed out that distilling process has already started, while the built converts are being worked on to add wings to enable it receive more quantum of water.
On the request for some bridges to be constructed, he said it is tenable to do so technically but promised to add the request in his report to the ministry headquarters.
The Setraco Assistant Project Manager appreciated the team for following due process in reporting their observations, assuring that work has already commenced to correct mistakes.
He complained of poor funding as a major challenge the company is facing.
It should be noted that the inspection/ assessment was ignited by a petition written to the ministry of Niger Delta complaining of poor job execution that has caused incessant flooding of Communities in Ekpeye Ethnic Nation.
