FG confirms Abia govt’s take-over of Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene federal road

FG confirms Abia govt’s take-over of Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene federal road

* Kalu, Wabara, Abaribe others laud Otti over projects

By Steve Oko

The Federal Government, has confirmed that Abia State Government has taken over the reconstruction of 35 killometres out of the 49-kilometre Umuahia Ikot Ekpene federal road.

This is as eminent Abians including the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu; former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara; former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, among others, defied political affiliation, and hailed Gov. Alex Otti’s developmental efforts.

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi who represented President Ahmed Tinubu at the inauguration of projects completed by Gov. Otti, said the take over was in response to a request by the Governor.

He explained that the federal government had already completed 14 kilometres, but would allow Abia State Government to fix the remaining portions.

Recall that Gov. Otti, had in a recent media parley, hinted that the project would soon be flagged off.

The Abia axis of the single-lane carriage highway which the federal government awarded for reconstruction over nine years ago, has been a death trap and constant source of public outcry.

“We have completed 14 out of the 49 killometer Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene road. And by the request of the Governor of Abia State, we have handed over the remaining 35 kilometers of the road to him, to complete, and for us to enjoy”, he said.

Umahi also enumerated several other road projects currently being executed by the President Tinubu’s administration in South East, arguing that contrary to misconceptions, the President does not discriminate against the zone.

Some of the projects include: the 56-kilometer of Umuahia-Aba Road, costing us N66 billion; 48km Ikot Ekpene-Aba Road worth N65 billion; 43km Aba-Port Harcourt Road; Enugu-Onitsha expressway, among others.

He added:”We have the 465- kilometer road starting from Calabar through Ebonyi State, Enugu State, to Benue, to Kogi State, to Nassarawa State, and to Abuja. 123 kilometers is started from the axis of Ebonyi. And that is costing the federal government N464 billion.”

The Works Minister said that the various reforms of Tinubu’s administration were beginning to positively impact on Nigeria’s economy.

“Let me assure you that we are beginning to have a lot of gains from our reforms. Inflation has come down to below 20 per cent. Our foreign reserve has hit over $42 billion. The GDP is growing by over 4.2 per cent.

“The worst is over. You may have seen that there were hardships, but you know that in all these, the worst is over.

Umahi thanked South East Governors for their unwaivering support for President Tinubu, and urged the zone to queue behind the Governors in their support for the President.

“All the Governors of Southeast are united in support of Mr President. And I ask the people of Southeast to unite, and come together.

He commended Gov. Otti for his developmental strides and assured him of more federal assistance to deliver.

“I have listened to Gov. Otti’s developmental plans, and I knew the Governor much before now. He’s a sound Economist, a very experienced personality.

“I have no doubt that through him, Abia will regain her lost glory. Through him, Abia people have taken back their state”.

Some of the projects inaugurated by Umahi on behalf of the President include the Port Harcourt Road Aba; Ohanku Road, Ndoki Road by East, People’s Road, remodeled Michael Okpara Auditorium, among others.

Earlier in his speech, Gov. Otti said that the road projects inaugurated by the President were of great economic and social importance to the Aba business community.

“Our joy is boundless. This day shall remain indelible in our memory. Port Harcourt Road, which at some point mirrored Aba’s regrettable decline, has now returned triumphantly to its place in destiny.

“It is projected that the economic impact of these roads could see the value of Aba’s gross domestic product rise significantly in the medium to long term.

“I have no doubt, that over the next 12 months, the volume of trade between Aba and other business capitals in the country will double,” Governor Otti asserted.

Otti appealed to the President to help in the development of a functional rail network in the Southeast and South-South region.

He also strongly pushed for the establishment of a sea port in Abia to boost economic activities in South East.

Otti has done well – Wabara, Kalu Abaribe

In a goodwill message, former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, described the projects particularly the Port Harcourt Road as “legendary and strategic for Abia’s economic revival.”

The former Senate President who in the message, regretted his and absence at the historic event, citing his on-going medical trip abroad, lauded Otti for laying a foundation for “a new Abia”.

He recalled that some persons had attempted, to make political capital out of his earlier fair comments when Gov. Otti awarded contract for the reconstruction of the road.

Wabara said he had been vindicated by the successful completion of the road project which according to him, will help boost economic activities not only in Aba but the entire state.

The former Senate President who insisted that “good governance goes beyond partisanship”, advised public office holders to strive to use their privileged positions to advance the cause of humanity.

Urging Otti not to relent in his developmental strides, Wabara said that leaders should build enduring legacies that outlive them.

“Today, Ndi Abia can stand tall among pacesetter states”, Wabara said, , adding that the hitherto negative perception about the state is fast changing.

” Stressing that”the development of Abia is paramount and should not be politicized”, Wabara maintained that “people should know that after election, governance begins”.

Similarly, the Reps Deputy Speaker, Kalu; and Senator Abaribe, said Otti had posted remarkable achievements, and assured him of their continued support.