Work on Asaba roads rehabilitation being executed?under the Direct Labour Road (DLA) programme in Delta,?has been stalled due to non payment of compensation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the reconstruction of the 2.8 kilometer road was awarded by Delta Government to Deux Project Ltd in October, 2011, at the cost of N1.09 billion.
The project was expected to be completed in 12 months.?
The government had awarded three other roads under the programme at the?cost of N3.05 billion
The roads are:?Avenue, Dennis Osadebay Road, Federal College of Education Road and Festus Okubor Road, all of which work is yet to commence.
NAN learnt that although many structures on the road have been marked for demolition to pave the way for the reconstruction work, their owners are insisting on compensation before they would be pulled down.
“They marked the fence and part of our hotel for demolition but we have told the company officials not to attempt the act until they have paid compensation’’, a Hotel manager, Billy Ogah said.
The?Commissioner for Works, Chief Funkekeme Solomon, admitted that compensation was yet to be paid to?owners of properties marked for demolition to pave way for the project.
He?blamed the delay?on evaluation of the compensation claims.
Solomon said?that many existing properties would be pulled down due to the expansion of the width of the road from 7.3 meters to 10 metres.
He said?that it was resolved that compensation would be paid before the demolition of the structures.
He, however, said that the committee charged with determining adequate compensation to be paid to “ genuine claimants’’ was yet to submit its report.
“But I have been informed that the report is ready and will be submitted any time from now.
“As soon as it is submitted and we agree, the compensation will be paid so that work can begin on the project. It is the only one lagging’’, he added.
Speaking on the scope?of the?work,?Solomon said, “the project includes? raising the road base, introduction of crushed stone base and surfacing, using two layers of asphalt.
“Concrete side drain and a pedestrian walkway will be provided on both sides, and discharge channels shall be constructed to route flood water from DLA Road to the underground drain along Jesus Saves Roa’’. (NAN)
