March 21, (THEWILL) – The contractor handling the construction of the 7.868km Ring Road 111 in Akwa Ibom State, Hensek Integrated Services Ltd, has underscored the importance of the road to the people of the state, promising that considerable speed and ingenuity would be employed in delivering the work.
Ring Road 111, which was recently flagged off for construction by the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, covers a distance of 8.686km, dual carriage and spans from Idoro (Uyo) – Itak Ikot Ide (Ikono) – Ikot Ambang (Ibiono Ibom).
Speaking to select journalists during the official flag-off of the project, the Managing Director, Hensek Integrated Services Ltd, Engr. Uwem Okoko, noted that the importance of the road lies in its potential to enhance transportation infrastructure, connectivity, and socioeconomic development of the host communities and the state in general.
As a commitment to the people and Government of Akwa Ibom State, Engr. Okoko assured that the project would be delivered within 13 months instead of the proposed 30 months duration.
Governor Umo Eno, while performing the flag-off of the project, urged the host communities to embrace peace for development to thrive and to cooperate with the contractor for quality work and speedy delivery.
He added that aside from the economic importance of the road, which he said included an existing housing estate and a leadership school, Akwa Ibom remains one of the states with the best road network in the country.
“It is in our place to protect and cooperate with the contractors to ensure the work is done right and not put them under unnecessary pressure. A monitoring team has been put in place and I won’t mind terminating any contract if the contractors are not performing optimally,” the Governor said.
He, however, promised that all parts of the State would be positively affected by the infrastructural expansion programme of his administration, adding that it is only in an atmosphere of peace that developments thrive.
In their separate goodwill messages, Hon. Etop Idung (Ibiono Ibom), a former Commissioner of Information in the state; Barrister Godwill Umoh (Ikono), Chairman of the State House of Assembly Service Commission, and Hon. Monday Eyo, Chairman of the State Local Government Service Commission, thanked the Governor for his magnanimity in the execution of projects and fatherly love for the state.
The 7.868km Ring Road III project ends the story of Ring Road in the state with a total span of 32km. The design of the 7.868km phase has a layout of 60 metres, a construction width of 32 metres, 200mm compacted laterite surface, 200mm reinforcement crush work, and two layers (60mm of stone base and 400mm of asphalt wearing cost), as well as roundabouts at both ends.
This road would facilitate better connectivity and increase accessibility for residents, businesses, and essential services. It will enhance transportation infrastructure by opening up areas for trade, commerce, and investment. The road, when completed, would improve access to markets for farmers in Uyo, Ikono and Ibiono Ibom.
