Assessing progress of Gov. Eno’s dual carriageway construction

By Emmanuel Nicholas

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State is currently spearheading an extensive series of dual carriageway construction projects encompassing a cumulative length exceeding 120 kilometers.

These infrastructural developments are at varying stages of progress; several segments have attained near completion, demonstrating substantial advancement in pavement laying, subgrade stabilization, and drainage installation.

Concurrently, other sections remain in intermediate phases of construction, with completion percentages ranging from approximately 40% to 60%.

These ongoing works involve critical civil engineering processes such as earthworks, subbase and base course preparation, asphalt surfacing, as well as the implementation of ancillary structures, including bridges, culverts, median barriers, and signage systems. These efforts are all aimed at enhancing traffic capacity, safety, and overall roadway durability within the state’s transportation network.

These improvements help to retain Akwa Ibom State as the state with the best road infrastructure in Nigeria, showcasing its commitment to maintaining and developing reliable and efficient roads.

(1) Ring Road III is a 7.86 km dual carriageway infrastructure project with an official contract duration of thirty months.

However, the construction contractor has committed to achieving project completion within 13 months. Currently, the project has attained approximately 65% overall physical progress. Drainage works are nearing completion, while earthworks, including the excavation and removal of unsuitable materials, as well as the placement and compaction of subgrade and sub-base layers, have progressed beyond 75%.

The Ring Road III alignment connects Idoro Road in Uyo to Ibiono Ibom and extends to Itak in the Ikono Local Government Area. This corridor is designed to function as an alternative route to the existing Uyo-Ikot Ekpene Road, thereby alleviating traffic congestion and improving regional connectivity.

(2)
The dualization project of the 14.5-kilometer Uyo/Airport Junction to Okopedi Road, which traverses the Uruan, Nsit Atai, and Okobo Local Government Areas, has reached an advanced stage of completion, currently standing at approximately 98%.

This extensive infrastructure upgrade involves the transformation of the existing single carriageway into a dual carriageway to enhance traffic capacity and improve road safety.

Significant progress has been achieved in the construction phases, including the comprehensive installation of the drainage systems designed to efficiently manage surface water runoff and prevent pavement deterioration due to water infiltration. The earthworks phase, encompassing the removal of unsuitable subgrade materials and the subsequent placement and compaction of engineered subgrade and sub-base layers, has been meticulously executed to provide a stable foundation for the pavement structure.

The asphaltic concrete surfacing has been fully completed, ensuring a durable and smooth riding surface capable of withstanding anticipated traffic loads. Additionally, the construction of reinforced concrete slabs for drainage channels and the median barriers has been finalized, contributing to improved hydrological performance and enhanced safety by physically separating opposing traffic flows.

Currently, the project is in the final stages of road marking and delineation, where high-visibility thermoplastic markings are being applied to demarcate traffic lanes and medians, thereby facilitating orderly vehicular movement and reducing the risk of collisions.

It is projected that within less than one month, the entire dual carriageway will be ready for official commissioning. This road serves as a critical arterial link, functioning as the primary gateway connecting the State Capital, Uyo, to the Oro Nation.

(3)
The dualization project of the 13.5-kilometer Okopedi-Oron Road, forming part of the East-West Road Phase II initiative, which includes the construction of a 65-meter span bridge, has progressed significantly, currently exceeding 56% overall completion.

Specifically, the construction of drainage systems has advanced beyond 75%, reflecting substantial progress in hydraulic infrastructure essential for effective stormwater management and roadway longevity.

Concurrently, the earthworks involving the excavation and removal of unsuitable soil materials, followed by the placement and compaction of subgrade and sub-base layers, have reached approximately 67% completion.

These foundational layers are critical for providing adequate load distribution and ensuring pavement structural integrity.

Regarding the bridge component, piling operations have commenced, marking the initiation of deep foundation works. This phase involves the installation of driven or bored piles designed to transfer structural loads from the bridge superstructure through weak surface soils to more competent strata below.

The preparation of the engineering groundworks for erecting the bridge piers, which will support the main beams and deck, is well underway, indicating steady progress in substructure development.

The entire road dualization project was originally scheduled for completion within a 24-month timeframe. The contracting firm, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), has been mobilizing resources and operating around the clock to adhere to the stipulated project timeline, demonstrating a commitment to timely delivery.

(4)
The dualization of the 13.6-kilometer Unyenge-Universal Energy Road, which serves as the primary access route to the strategically significant Ibom Deep Seaport, encompasses the construction of two major bridges with spans measuring 30 meters and 45 meters, respectively, as well as a spur connecting to Affi-Uda Village within the Mbo Local Government Area.

Progress on this infrastructure project has been somewhat impeded, primarily due to the challenging geotechnical conditions presented by the swampy and waterlogged terrain characteristic of the area.

Nevertheless, the contracting firm has been diligently and assiduously mobilizing its workforce and employing specialized construction methodologies to mitigate these environmental constraints, thereby striving to ensure adherence to the project’s stipulated completion timeline.

To date, site clearance operations have been fully completed, facilitating subsequent construction activities. The drainage system installation, critical for effective stormwater management and subgrade stabilization, has reached approximately 50% completion.

Concurrently, the excavation and removal of unsuitable soil strata, followed by the placement and compaction of engineered subgrade layers utilizing lateritic materials, have progressed to nearly 40% completion.

These geotechnical interventions are vital for establishing a stable pavement foundation capable of supporting anticipated traffic loads expected from the Deep Seaport and ensuring long-term durability.

This road infrastructure project is of paramount importance to the socio-economic development of Akwa Ibom State.

By providing enhanced connectivity to the Ibom Deep Seaport, a pivotal maritime logistics hub, this dual carriageway is expected to significantly improve freight movement efficiency, reduce transportation costs, and stimulate international trade and investment.

Economic analysts and development experts widely concur that the completion of the Ibom Deep Seaport will catalyze transformative economic growth, positioning Akwa Ibom State as a competitive player in both national and international markets.

(5)
The dualization project of the 4-kilometer Uyo Village Road, which includes the construction of two bridges si approximately 45 meters each in length, has progressed to an advanced stage, with approximately 70 percent of the overall works completed.

The project, which also includes the relocation of a dumpsite and flood control measures.

Site clearance operations have been fully executed, and the drainage system installation is approximately 80 percent complete.

Earthworks involving the removal of unsuitable materials, as well as the placement and compaction of subgrade and sub-base layers, have surpassed 58 percent completion.

In certain sections, a modified bituminous macadam (MC 1) layer has been applied to serve as a bonded base course, enhancing the pavement’s structural integrity and load distribution capacity.

This dualization project is critical as it upgrades a major arterial route connecting the Calabar-Itu Highway to Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State.

This corridor functions as a vital logistics hub facilitating the transportation of heavy-duty equipment and aggregates, particularly stones, from Cross River State to Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa States.

The contracting firm is not only responsible for the road construction but also for the design and implementation of various civil engineering structures aimed at mitigating the ecological challenges historically associated with this corridor.

These include erosion control measures, stormwater management systems, and the establishment of appropriate infrastructure to support the Uyo capital city’s waste management hub, thereby ensuring sustainable urban development and environmental protection in the State.

Lastly, His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno, PhD, is allocating substantial financial resources amounting to billions of Naira towards the development and construction of robust and extensive road infrastructure within the state.

This strategic investment aims to enhance the transportation network, thereby facilitating efficient vehicular movement, stimulating commercial activities, and fostering socio-economic development, particularly in the rural and underserved hinterland area

It is widely acknowledged in civil engineering and urban planning that a well-designed and maintained road network constitutes a fundamental catalyst for sustainable development and economic growth.

Governor Umo Eno’s approach to infrastructural development transcends mere political rhetoric; his administration demonstrates a strong commitment to project execution by ensuring that awarded road construction contracts are sufficiently funded.

This prudent fiscal management guarantees that projects adhere to stipulated timelines and quality standards, thereby optimizing the lifecycle performance of the pavement structures and associated civil works.

Such a methodical and results-oriented strategy not only enhances the durability and safety of the transportation infrastructure but also significantly improves the overall quality of life for the state’s residents and citizens by providing reliable and efficient connectivity.