Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has assured that the long-awaited reconstruction of Port Harcourt Road, Aba, will be completed before May 29, 2025.
According to a company statement, the contract’s award marked the beginning of a long-overdue restoration, rekindling hope for businesses and residents who had suffered due to the road’s severe deterioration. The major roadway, a crucial link connecting Aba to Port Harcourt and beyond, serves as a vital commercial route for trade between the East, South-South, and South-West regions.
Project Scope and Progress
The contract specifies a three-lane carriageway covering a total distance of 5.7 km. Additionally, Asa Road will be rehabilitated with a fresh binder and a 1.1 km wearing course, complete with modern street lighting.
The latest observations indicate that work on the main road is nearing completion. Julius Berger is now focusing on installing drainage systems and U-channels at the Enugu-Port Harcourt highway junction. With large sections of the road already in use, businesses along the route are witnessing a revival, as commercial activities gradually return to the area.
Commitment to Local Engagement and Sustainability
Christian Kloepfel, Project Manager at Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, highlighted key aspects of the construction, including earthworks and stormwater control.
He emphasized the company’s dedication to local employment and community engagement, revealing that 17 security personnel from the Aba community were recruited to enhance site safety while fostering economic development. Additionally, a local indigene was appointed as the project’s public relations officer to maintain open communication between the company and the community, ensuring transparency and trust.
Kloepfel further noted that Julius Berger adopted sustainable waste management practices, securing community consent for a designated dump site while ensuring proper waste disposal to prevent environmental degradation.
Community Excitement Builds
As the project nears completion, residents are eagerly anticipating the transformation of the once-dilapidated road.
“Our dear Enyimba City is about to be reborn,” said Sunday Obigbo, a tricyclist who plies the route. “Thank you, Julius Berger, for the rebirth we are about to witness.”
With its completion just weeks away, the Port Harcourt Road project promises to enhance economic activity, ease transportation, and restore Aba’s status as a thriving commercial hub.
