“Not One Kobo From Government!” — Anambra Commissioner Speaks On Failed Road Sections

By Chibuzo Obidike | IchieTimes

The Anambra State Government says it will not spend an additional kobo of public funds repairing defective sections of newly constructed roads that remain within their contractors’ defect liability period, insisting that the construction companies must fix the problems before the roads are formally handed over.

The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Arch. Okey Ezeobi, gave the assurance during an inspection of the Amawbia to Agulu road, where some sections have suffered deterioration due to water related challenges.

Ezeobi explained that the road had not been formally handed over to the state government because the construction company remained responsible for addressing defects identified within the stipulated liability period.

“The state government is not expending extra one kobo. All these failures you’ve seen, the government isn’t spending money. It’s still within the defect liability period of the contracting companies,” the commissioner stated.

He explained that newly constructed roads must undergo at least one rainy season to expose weaknesses that may not be apparent immediately after construction.

According to him, the current rainy season would help identify vulnerable sections of the road, which the contractor would be required to repair before the project could be handed over to the state government.

“It’s still within the defect liability period, so they will continue to resolve issues until we get a perfect solution,” he said.

The commissioner attributed the deterioration partly to the area’s geological conditions, explaining that the road passes through a low lying, flood prone stretch where water accumulates and damages asphalt surfaces.

He identified drainage obstruction and activities around horticultural businesses along the corridor as additional challenges affecting the road’s durability.

According to Ezeobi, some businesses require water for their plants and have allegedly obstructed natural water channels to retain water within their premises, leaving water on the road and worsening the damage.

He said the government was working to address the competing interests of businesses and road users, stressing that drainage channels must remain open to allow water to flow away from the road.

The commissioner disclosed that businesses along the corridor had been directed to maintain a distance of at least three metres from the road’s right of way.

He also encouraged residents to continue reporting road failures on social media, describing public feedback as a useful tool for identifying areas requiring urgent attention.

Ezeobi said the government welcomed such reports because they enabled the relevant authorities and contractors to identify and address defects while the projects remained within their liability periods.

He assured residents that the identified failures along the Amawbia to Agulu road would be addressed during the current rainy season, maintaining that the state government expected the contractor to deliver a quality road before formal handover.

The commissioner reaffirmed the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s commitment to infrastructure quality, stressing that contractors must resolve defects covered by their contractual obligations.