Posted by By JACOB EDI, Abuja on
The Edo State government has re-awarded the contract for the construction of Ihievbe-Ihievbe Ogben road in Owan East Local Government Area at a cost of N1.9billion.
The Edo State government has re-awarded the contract for the construction of Ihievbe-Ihievbe Ogben road in Owan East Local Government Area at a cost of N1.9billion.
The State Commissioner for Works and Public Utilities, Barrister Abbas Jega, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the decisions reached at the regular meeting of the State Executive Council, said the move is part of the determination of the Oserheimen Osunbor-led administration to build an enduring network of roads across the state.
Barrister Jega explained that the contract was revalidated having been first awarded to Setraco by the administration of late Prof Ambrose Alli in 1982 and abandoned thereafter, adding that the action was in fulfilment of the electioneering promise made to the people of Ihievbe-Ogben by Prof. Osunbor.
The Works Commissioner disclosed that many road projects in the state had been completed while others were on-going and enjoined the people to exercise patience as all the road projects, numbering over 30, would be completed before the rains fully set in.
At the briefing, which was moderated by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Orientation, Mrs Betty Igbeyi, the Commissioner for Lands, Surveys and Housing, Barrister Anthony Iyalekhue, said the Executive Council commended Akuku and Enwan communities for ending the clash between them and embracing peace, stressing that the traditional rulers in the area were also charged to maintain the prevailing peace.
Barrister Iyalekhue said leaders of the two communities were expected to meet with officials of his Ministry and that of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in order to consolidate on the peace process.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr Mrs Abieyuwa Osemwekha, said the Exco deliberated on the state of affairs at the Bendel Brewery Ltd. According to her, the workers of the company had not been sacked but were only stood off in line with an earlier agreement reached with the leaders of the workers' union, adding that they would be recalled as soon as the brewery commences production.
Dr Osemwekha explained that one month salary would be paid to the workers from the bank loan obtained to reposition the company while the remaining salary arrears would be cleared in due course.