Henry Omunu
12 October 2008
P/Harcourt — Construction giant, Julius Berger Plc has returned to project sites the company abandoned months ago because of security concerns in Rivers State.
Unknown gunmen had kidnapped two expatriate workers of the construction company last June, an action which forced the company to pull out of the Niger Delta region.
The abducted men were working on the dualisation of the East-West Road, a project awarded by the federal government.
The company has mobilised its workforce to resume work on the flyover project at Eleme junction, along the Port-Harcourt-Aba Expressway in Port Harcourt. When our correspondent visited the Eleme junction Friday, the construction company's workers were seen on site handling various aspects of the construction work.
Assistant liaison manager of the firm, Chief Sam Ngbor, who spoke to journalists, said the company's gesture of returning to site was in keeping with the understanding reached with the Rivers State government.
Ngbor said with the adequate security measures taken by government and the provision of other logistics, the company would be able to complete the project by June, 2009.
He thanked Governor Rotimi Amaechi for providing the environment that facilitated the resumption of work by the company, and solicited public cooperation towards ensuring uninterrupted operations.
Residents of the state capital were also full of joy over the return of the firm and urged militants operating in the state to sheathe their swords since majority of citizens of the state were not benefiting from their actions.
A resident, Mr. Ifeanyi Odogwu said activities of the miscreants had affected the progress of work on the flyover project, and caused untold hardship to the people.
Another resident, Mrs. Forstina Franklin enjoined government to continue with its clampdown on the militants to ensure that developmental projects were no longer affected.
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