Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has returned to site to remediate a badly damaged section of the Port Harcourt Ring Road at Alesa in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, which had become a nightmare for motorists and pedestrians.
The affected section, which reportedly deteriorated after work was suspended during the period of emergency administration in the state, had become difficult to navigate, with motorists complaining of damage to their vehicles and pedestrians struggling to pass through the area.
The spot is located directly in front of the country home of Senator Olaka Nwogu, who was recently elected to represent Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly following a bye-election.
Julius Berger reportedly suspended work on the project over payment-related issues with the Rivers State Government.
The Port Harcourt Ring Road was conceived as one of the signature projects of the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara shortly after he assumed office in 2023.
The road was designed to ease traffic congestion within Port Harcourt and neighbouring communities, with the project terminating at the Refinery Junction, where a major interchange was planned.
However, the project was caught up in the political crisis that engulfed Rivers State following the move by members of the State House of Assembly to impeach the governor.
The ensuing political turmoil and subsequent emergency administration disrupted activities on several state projects, including the Ring Road.
While Julius Berger has now returned to remediate the damaged section at Alesa, the broader Ring Road project has yet to be fully revived, with work on the proposed interchange flyover at Refinery Junction yet to commence.
A report indicated that the company’s return to the Alesa section was facilitated by the Chairman of the Joint Community Relations Committee of the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited, Mr Timothy Mgbere, and a former Youth Council President of Alesa, Mr Baronu Nwogu.
The intervention is expected to provide temporary relief to road users who have endured difficulties navigating the affected section.
