Cynthia Ezegwu
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has given Raffoul Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling the 6.5-kilometre Woji–Aleto–Alesa road linking Obio/Akpor Local Government Area to the Port Harcourt Refinery in Eleme, one month to complete the project or risk contract termination.
The road, which includes a 200-metre bridge, is designed to serve as an alternative route to the Port Harcourt Refinery and reduce congestion on the East–West Road, currently under reconstruction by the federal government.
Governor Fubara issued the ultimatum on Friday during an inspection of the project site, expressing dissatisfaction with the contractor’s pace of work despite receiving two contract variations from his administration.
“I feel highly disappointed with the level of performance of this contractor, Raffoul,” Fubara said. “This project was awarded in June 2020 by my predecessor. When I came in, I gave variations twice to enable them achieve a good proportion of this job. To my greatest surprise, whenever you sit with them you don’t come out with anything substantial.”
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He warned that the state government would not hesitate to terminate the contract if there is no significant improvement within the next month.
The governor also raised alarm over indiscriminate dredging activities near the bridge along the Woji River, describing the practice as dangerous and environmentally harmful.
“How could a normal human being be dredging very close to the bridge? Is it proper? This is the last warning,” he said, adding that his administration would take decisive action if such activities continue in the area.