Orji hails FG over NNPC take over of Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene fed road
* Warns vain glory seekers
By Steve Oko
Senator Theodore Orj representing Abia Central senatorial district has applauded the decision of the federal government for the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to take over the rehabilitation of the nightmarish Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene federal road.
The Federal Executive Council, FEC, had on Wednesday, approved N621.2 billion for the NNPC to take over the reconstruction of 21 federal roads across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
The former Governor described the intervention as apt and a huge relief to his constituents who have suffered unimaginably following the near-collapse of the road that has claimed so many lives.
The death of a final year female student of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike in an auto crash on the road last month sparked a public outrage following a spontaneous students’ protests.
Commutters and motorists plying the 48-kilometer road linking South East and Akwa Ibom have been subjected to agony due to the deplorable condition of the road which has for decades remained a death trap.
Senator Orji who thanked the federal government for harkening to the cries of his constituents as well as pleas by various, expressed delight that the ordeals of the road users would soon be history.
He clarified that contrary to claims in some quarters, the latest intervention by the federal government was as a result of various efforts, pleas and pressure by different stakeholders including the State Government.
The former governor who expressed confidence that the road would soon be fully recovered said that no single individual should lay exclusive claims on facilitation of the intervention.
“This is not an individual effort but collective efforts because that road has been horrible.
“Everybody including the state Governor Okezie Ikpeazu was crying that the federal government should come and help us.
“It is all these pleadings that made the federal government and the federal Ministry of Works to come to our rescue.
” People cried out and students protested and now the federal government heeded the calls.
“It is a group effort and no single Individual can come and claim that positive intervention by the federal government”.
Senator Orji who said that fund for the project was already on ground specifically thanked the Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola for his efforts towards the rehabilitation of the road.
The road was awarded for total reconstruction in the current budget for N14.3 billion but paucity of funds has delayed its execution.
By the latest intervention the NNPC in line with Executive Order No. 007 of 2019 which allows the private sector to deploy funds in advance for taxes they would pay on infrastructural development, is expected to deliver with dispatch.
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