ABIA – Governor Alex Otti, has flagged off the reconstruction of the remaining 25-kilometre Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene federal Road which brings to an end many years of nightmares for residents and motorists plying the road.
Speaking during the flag off ceremony at the Timber Market, Ahieke Ndume Ibeku Umuahia, Governor Otti said the project symbolises his administration’s commitment to reversing years of infrastructural decay and driving inclusive economic growth across the state.
The Governor in his speech entitled, “The End of a Nightmare”, noted that the prosperity of any community is tied to the availability and spread of support structures to expand the combined productivity of the population”.
Governor Otti explained that although, the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road is a Federal highway, his administration decided to intervene after securing necessary approvals from the Federal Government as the majority of users are Abians.
The Governor expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting approval for the State to reconstruct the road and to the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, for his firm support and guidance in processing the technical documents.
He further commended the Federal Government for “refusing to be misled by what he described as petty designs of a few unpatriotic political actors from the State who attempted to scuttle the initiative just to massage their oversized egos”.
He assured residents that the road would be built to modern specifications with solar-powered streetlights, proper drainage systems, and quality asphalt layers to ensure durability.
In their separate remarks, the Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Austin Akobundu, and the Deputy Speaker, Abia House of Assembly, Mr Augustine Okezie, described the Federal road as one of immense strategic and economic importance to the people.
They lamented that the road had remained in deplorable condition for decades despite repeated assurances by previous administrations and commended Governor Otti for taking the bold step to ensure its reconstruction and for setting aside the usual dichotomy between Federal and State responsibilities in the interest of the people.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Otumchere Oti, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Izuchukwu Onwughara, described the road as a major artery linking Abia and Akwa Ibom States adding that the construction represents the breaking of a jinx of over 40 years.
Also Speaking, the President General, Ndume Otuka Autonomous Community, Sir John Onyiro lamented that the road has been used by past administration for political purposes with unfulfilled promises, urging residents to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and support Governor Otti for a second term as a mark of appreciation for his commendable performance.
Governor Otti later flagged off the 13.1Kilometer Ariam-Usaka ring road.
