Ogoni Youths, Rivers Assembly Disagree On Road Project

The Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF) has again frowned at the statement by the Rivers State House of Assembly Committee on Works which applauded the quality of work being done on the Bori-Kono road by the China Civil Engineering Construction Company.

The House Committee on Works led by its chairman, Hon. Michael Chinda visited the site on Wednesday after the company had appeared before the committee on Monday.

This followed allegations from the youth group that it was executing a poor quality job on the road.

The youths wondered how the assembly could described the work being done as of good standard, amidst “incontrovertible evidence to show that the quality of work is substandard.”

OYF in a statement signed by its President-General, Legborsi Yamaabana also berated the Committee for saying that groups and members of communities do not have any right to monitor government’s projects in their environment.

It said, “This statement is not only laughable and political, it leaves us with more to desire. It is the social responsibility of community indigenous people who are end users of any projects to act as watch dogs to ensure that projects in their localities, funded by taxpayers money are done to standard and specifications.

“This is in line with the United Nation’s provision on the Open Governance Partnership (OGP) which provides for inclusion and participation by the citizens.”

The youths recalled that the project is the second phase of the Saakpenwa-Kono Road which phase 1 (Saakpenwa-Bori axis) was commissioned earlier in the year.

The statement added, “It was obvious to all, the quality of work done by the same contractor on the phase one of the same road. Nobody complained about it because a good work was done.

“Why then will anyone want to raise alarm if similar quality was carried out on the second phase? It is important to note that the terrain of the land is even worse on the axis between Bori-Kono than the Saakpenwa- Bori axis, the reason we should even expect a deeper excavation and stone base and sharp sand feeling before surfacing and asphalting.

“For a government that has decided to leave a lasting legacy on the sand of history in the state, we believe it will be disservice to the Government if contractors are left to implement projects without any iota of sustainability in view as this will cost the government more in repairs and rehabilitation than it should on proper construction”.

OYF enjoined Ogoni youths to remain calm and law abiding as the body explores other channels to ensuring that CCECC delivers a standard road to our people.