From Blessing Ibunge, Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Ministry of Works yesterday embarked on the demolition of marked structures to create right of way for the Garrison – Port Harcourt Flyover Bridge under construction by Julius Berger Plc.
It was gathered that the state Governor Nyesom Wike had embarked on sensitization tour at the areas where the three flyovers are undergoing construction in Port Harcourt.
The Governor, The AUTHORITY learned had sensitized the traders and owners of the affected structures where some compensation were given out to the landlords of the structures.
However, when the government officials on the demolition exercise stormed the area, some of the traders dealing on Phones were sighted pleading that they be given sometime to relocate, claiming that it was only the landlords of the structures that benefitted from the compensation.
Our correspondent reported that part of the state office of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the fence of First Bank building was also affected in the demolition.
Meanwhile, officials backed by earth moving equipment carefully brought down the structures.
The construction work continued as the bulldozers brought down the structures that the Rivers State Government has paid compensation for.
In an interview, Julius Berger Port Harcourt Flyover Bridges Project Manager, Finn Drosdowski expressed happiness that the demolition exercise was peaceful.
“We are happy with the peaceful demolition of marked structures to create space for the construction of Rebisi Flyover Bridge.
“We thank officials of the Ministry of Works for their support and we know we will achieve our target. We have been working for two months and we have done 12 to 14 percent of the work. At the beginning it is a little slow, but we are on track”, he said.
The Julius Berger official said that the projects will be delivered on schedule.
He said: “I appeal to the people to cooperate with us. For every project, the people suffer at the beginning, but they will enjoy the project at the end
“The three locations where we are constructing Flyover Bridges are places with traffic congestion. After the construction, the issue of traffic congestion would be resolved. I am confident that we will finish the projects on schedule.”
