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Governor Sheriff Oborevwori Tuesday broke the jinx that has held Julius Berger Nigeria Limited back and prevented it from handling contracts in Delta State.

This is because Delta State Government Tuesday approved the award of contracts worth N78 billion to the construction giant for the construction of three flyover bridges and road expansion in the Warri/Effurun megalopolis.

This was part of the decisions taken at the State Executive Council meeting presided over by the Governor at Government House, in Asaba.

Briefing journalists at the end of the Exco meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Engr Fred Edafiogho said approval of the contracts were aimed at solving the gridlock often experienced in the twin cities.

He said the contracts included the design and construction of flyover bridge at Enerhen junction to Marine Gate; study, design and construction of road expansion and improvement works on the section of the DSC/NPA Expressway from Effurun roundabout to DSC roundabout, including construction of a 3/4 Cloverleaf interchange at the existing Effurun Flyover Bridge as well as two pedestrian bridges.

Others are design and construction of flyover bridge at PTI junction and DSC roundabout along the Effurun/Patani, East-West highway, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area.

Mr Edafiogho further said that the road expansion work on the DSC/NPA Expressway will provide two lanes of restricted carriageway at the centre for through-traffic and another two lanes of service road in each travel direction bringing the current capacity of the road from four lanes to eight lanes.

He said side drains would be provided along the stretch to convey storm water to the swamp that runs beside the road and pipeline in addition to providing free flow of traffic for a distance of 4.359km with cloverleaf interchanges and U-turns allowing for unimpeded flow.

He added that the four projects have a duration of 27 months with probable completion date of December 2025.

Commissioner for Works, (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze said Governor Oborevwori’s approval of the projects was in fulfillment of his promise to give Warri/Uvwie a face lift.

He said the justification for choosing Julius Berger was due to their experience and competitive pricing in relation to the quality of works and timely delivery of projects.

Also speaking, State Commissioner for Finance, Chief Fidelis Tilije said the contract was worth N78 billion while the state government would make 25 per cent advance payment of N19.5 billion with the balance paid through an ISPO for 30 months.

Also speaking during the briefing, the Commissioner for Works in charge of Rural and Riverine Roads, Mr. Charles Aniagwu said that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was deeply worried about the deplorable nature of federal roads across the state.

He disclosed that the state Executive Council had directed the Ministries of Works (Highways and Rural Roads) to carry out remedial works on federal roads, particularly the Asaba-Benin Expressway and the Agbor-Eku Road with a view to making them more motorable for road users in the state.