Motorists, Others Raise Concern Over Declining Quality of East-West Road Project

Reynolds Construction Company Limited has commenced work on the Port Harcourt-bound lane of the Eleme segment of the East-West road project. However, motorists and other road users have expressed concerns regarding the perceived decline in quality across various parts of the project.
Despite President Bola Tinubu’s recent commissioning of the Eket-bound lane, several sections of this route remain incomplete. During a site visit by National Point, it was observed that workers from RCC were actively engaged on the Eket-bound lane between Kilometres 1-3, which runs from Eleme Junction on the Port Harcourt–Aba expressway to Akpajo.
At the same time, no work was being conducted at the three bridge sites located at Okulu Bridge, Aleto; Refinery Junction at Alesa; and Trailer Park Junction at Ejamah, Ebubu. Some minor remedial tarring was noted in these areas, but the expected concrete overlay was missing in the approaches to the bridges.
Progress has been made on the Port Harcourt-bound lane starting from Refinery Junction towards the Trailer Park Junction, where excavation is complete, and sharp sand and pulverized granite have been laid. In contrast to the Eket-bound lane, no stone base was added; the contractors opted to fill the excavated sections with sharp sand instead.
Concerns intensified following a visit by Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, two months ago, during which he announced that one lane would be commissioned by President Tinubu. Since that announcement, the use of concrete overlay has reportedly disappeared, with thin layered asphalt now employed for the remaining sections of the roadway.
Local resident Mr. Gomba Onorwin, remarked: “Since the uncompleted lane was commissioned last month, we’ve seen a drop in quality. Just look at the approach to the bridge; they’ve merely laid asphalt instead of continuing with the concrete they initially used.”
Commercial motorcyclist Haruna Bello echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that the contractors “have changed hands,” referring to the decline in construction quality.
Baribefi John, a frequent user of the road from Gokana, warned of potential protests to the Federal Government due to the diminishing quality of the road work. He stated, “This isn’t what the Minister promised. They’ve moved away from using concrete and stone base.”
Current work on the road began in October 2023, after the Minister disclosed that contractors were mobilized with a N30 billion budget. However, progress slowed significantly until approximately October 2024, when the pace picked up again after the contractors received additional funding following a request for variations.
In May, ahead of President Bola Tinubu marking two years in office, Umahi visited the site and announced plans to commission one lane by June, with the second lane slated for December this year. The project, spanning 15 kilometers, is set to cost the Federal Government approximately N156 billion, translating to around N10.4 billion per kilometer, making it the most expensive road undertaking in the country. Umahi emphasized the necessity of such expenditure, given the heavy traffic of over 10,000 vehicles daily, predominantly heavy-duty trucks traveling to and from Onne Ports, refineries, and petrochemical industries that the road endures. The initial contract for the project was awarded in 2012 during the Jonathan administration, valued at N33 billion.