The people of Etche, an oil bearing community in Rivers State, will soon be travelling to and from Port Harcourt with ease as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has began the dualisation of the over 27.5-kilometre Igwuruta-Okehi Road with bridges.

Site Manager of the firm handling the project, Dia on a chat with journalists, said the company had completed the asphalting of about 4.3 kilometres after clearing, excavation, mounting and grading on both sides of the road.

Commending the NDDC for embarking on the project, a tipper driver said the expanded road would enhance their sand tipping business.

"I am very happy that the NDDC is expanding this road for us; the dualisation will help us to increase the number of tips we make daily", he said.

Meanwhile the commission has commenced the construction of a apecialist and orthopedic hospital in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The hospital comprising orthopedic and cardiovascular units, when completed, will deal with the correction of injuries to the skeletal system, associated muscles, joints and ligaments while the cardiovascular unit will treat heart problems, said to be prevalent in the region.

Briefing newsmen at the project site along Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, King Babalola disclosed that his firm had excavated and constructed 349 pads for the one storey orthopedic unit and already started blinding for the foundation of the four-storey cardiovascular centre.

"The foundation stage is the most difficult in building construction but going by the pace of work, we are sure of delivering this project before the end of this year," he assured.