The Rivers state executive council, on Wednesday, approved N222 billion for the construction of the Trans-Kalabari Road project.

Joseph Johnson, the commissioner for information and communications, disclosed this while briefing journalists after the state executive council meeting.

The meeting was presided over by Gov. Siminalayi Fubara at the state Government House in Port Harcourt.

He said the project would be funded with savings from the state’s internally generated revenue.

“We shall not borrow to fund the project. We are bent on generating money to fund our projects,” he said.

Mr Johnson stated that the contractor had mobilised 30 per cent of the contract worth to commence implementation.

The commissioner further said that the project would be completed within a period of 32 months.

“This is the main Trans-Kalabari road; the one that happened in the past was the building of bridges.

“We are now doing a Trans-Kalabari road that will run from NSS Pathfinder, immediately after Mgbuodohia community and extend to about 2km to the Aker Base Road in Rumuolumeni,” he said.

He also said that the road would pass through the swamps behind the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, moving southwards towards the first bridge crossing.

“It will continue through a series of bridges, connecting many communities up to Tombia Town.

“The road will traverse very difficult terrains of swamp across rivers and creeks upon which series of bridges, decking and piling works will be done,” he said.

In another development, the commissioner said that the state recently recorded some giant strides in the sporting sector.

He said that Rivers United defeated Katsina United 4-2 to become champions of the maiden edition of the Nigeria U17 Youth League.

He said that the state bagged the first position in the male national beach volleyball competition while the female team clinched the second position.

“We also came tops in the National Open Chess Competition; we have our daughter, Queen Dan Jumbo, who came first and was the best in the women category.

“On the National Open Table Tennis Championship, Rivers State came first, with 3 gold medals and best overall team,” he said.

Mr Johnson added that Rivers Hoppers Basketball Club had qualified for the final phase of the NBA competition in Kigali, Rwanda.

Also briefing, the acting director-general, Rivers State Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr Ine Briggs, explained that the bureau diligently managed the proceedings leading to the award of the Trans-Kalabari road contract.

Mr Briggs said that the submissions of the state Ministry of Works were reviewed, and all the supporting documents were examined by the ministry.

“Having fulfilled all the necessary procurement procedures and guidelines as prescribed by the Rivers State Public Procurement Law 2008 as amended. 

“The Bureau is satisfied that all the elements leading to this award are sufficient to issue a certificate of no objection.

“Therefore, in consideration of all the relevant documents submitted by the Ministry of Works pursuant to the construction of Trans-Kalabari Road and bridges.

“The Bureau has issued the certificate of no objection, and that the contract be awarded to Lubrick Construction Company Limited,” Mr Briggs said.

(NAN)