There has been panic in Nnewi, Anambra State over the road dualization project from Agulu in Aniocha Local Government Area to Okija in Ihiala Council Area which contract was to cost the State government about N38 billion.
The concern of residents living along the axis has been whether the project would be executed with dispatch and the issue of compensation to the property owners after demolition to make way for the road construction.
From all indications, many buildings and shanties will go and a lot have already gone with nothing said to the owners for now.
When contacted for an insider explanation, the President-General of Nzuko-Ora Nnewi (Nnewi town union), Dr Maduaka Atuenyi said the property owners would be compensated and that the project would be completed in 12 months without fail.
He was specific about compensation based on information available to him. According to him, there would be compassionate compensation to building owners and not shanties.
“I have (Wednesday) just had a meeting with the contractors handling the project. The contract is divided into two. The contractor handling the project from Agulu to Nnewi Roundabout is different from the one working from Nnewi Roundabout to Okija.
“The contractors have assured us that the project will not stop halfway.
“We told them that our lives will be in danger, the local government Chairman and myself. That our people can lynch us if after destroying their property and the project is not completed. They gave use double assurance that there won’t be any failure, “he said.
The PG disclosed that he insisted the contract had to be completed on schedule and should not be abandoned like the Bank Road and things like that, though he did not disclose the contractors handling the Bank Road.
“The contractor from Agulu to Nnewi Roundabout has even vowed that his company will never fail. He assured that the construction company said to be owned by the Lebanese had the capacity to execute the contract as entered.
“We learnt that money for the contract has been made available. His Excellency doesn’t say one thing and do another. He is a man of his words.
“The contractor said there will be street lights and trees planted at the middle of the new roads when completed, “Dr Atuenyi concluded.
