Works Minister Declares Calabar/Itu Road, Worst in Nigeria

…Revokes Raycon Construction Contract

By Patrick Titus, Uyo

The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has declared the Calabar–Itu road “one of the worst in the country,” warning that its deplorable state could compromise logistics for the flagship Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, as it could disrupt delivery of materials for the project.

Senator Umahi made the declaration last weekend after an on-site inspection of the Calabar–Itu road, a federal highway linking Cross River, Akwa Ibom and other states in the southern part of Nigeria.

Umahi admitted that the Federal Government has failed to conduct due diligence before awarding such a massive contract to Raycon Construction Nigeria Ltd.

“This is one of the worst roads in this country. There is no one that goes through this road that will not take a pain-relieving tablet. Giving the job to Raycon was a mistake on the part of the ministry, and we admit our failure because we did not carry out due diligence,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Minister has revoked the contract awarded to Raycon Construction Nigeria Ltd for the rehabilitation of the critical Calabar/Itu road, describing the road project as “definitely beyond the capacity,” of the company.

To avert further deterioration, the Minister has deployed HITECH Construction to immediately undertake an emergency intervention. He ordered HITECH to commence day-and-night operations within the next two months to create a “seamless passage” along the existing carriageway.

“I’am asking the Director of Works to issue a ‘stop-work order’ on Raycon effective today. A joint measurement of work done should be carried out so Raycon can be paid when funds are available. We will look for a less challenging project for the company. We are not blaming you, and we are not blaming ourselves,” Umahi said.

He also noted that if sustained funding remains a challenge, he will recommend to President Tinubu that the road be integrated into Section 5 of the coastal highway scheme.

Umahi appealed to the Akwa Ibom State Government to expedite payment of compensation to affected property owners, describing it as crucial to unhindered progress on the project.

Providing updates on the project earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Akwa Ibom State, Engr. Okoduwa Vincent, said Raycon had completed about 400 meters of lane training on one carriageway and was battling deep ravines that overturn trucks.

He identified the overwhelming volume of traffic as a major constraint, forcing the contractor to focus on palliative measures instead of full-scale reconstruction.

Defending the company’s performance, Raycon’s Managing Director, Engr. Sakis Gabriel, said the firm remained on-site throughout the rainy season to attend to emergencies such as gully erosion. He stressed that constant heavy traffic and unresolved compensation and relocation issues in nearby communities were major obstacles slowing the project.

During the inspection, it was observed that the 9.7km stretch – an intervention segment originally withdrawn from Julius Berger and reassigned to Raycon, has deteriorated into a major nightmare for motorists plying the road.