Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has issued a one-month ultimatum to Raffoul Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling the 6.5-kilometre Woji–Aleto–Alesa–Refinery Link Road project, to complete the job or risk termination of the contract.
Governor Fubara, who expressed strong displeasure over the slow pace of work during an inspection visit to the project site on Friday, October 10, 2025, said he was disappointed with the contractor’s performance despite receiving multiple financial variations from the state government.
He noted that according to the handover note he received after the state of emergency, the Sole Administrator during that period, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), had already terminated the contract due to poor performance.
“I feel highly disappointed with the level of performance of this contractor, Raffoul Nigeria Limited. This project was awarded in June 2020 by my predecessor, and I have personally given them two variations to enable meaningful progress,” the governor said.
“To my greatest surprise, there’s never been any substantial improvement. I was briefed that the project had earlier been cancelled by the Administrator. If they fail to complete this job in the next one month, I will have no option but to cancel the contract,” he declared.
During the inspection, Governor Fubara also discovered illegal dredging activities on the Woji River, warning operators to desist immediately or face severe sanctions.
He condemned the environmental risks posed by such unregulated activities, especially their proximity to the bridge under construction.
“How could a normal human being be dredging very close to the bridge? Is that proper?” he queried. “This is the last warning. If I return here or receive any report that dredging is still going on, particularly near this bridge, I will take drastic action.”
The Woji–Aleto–Alesa–Refinery Link Road, which includes a 200-metre bridge, is expected to serve as a vital alternative route to the East-West Road, easing traffic congestion and improving access to key industrial areas in Rivers State.
