Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has flagged off the reconstruction of the remaining 25-kilometre Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Federal Road which is expected to bring to an end the total rehabilitation of the about 50 kilometres strategic road leading to Akwa Ibom, Cross River states and the Cameroun.
Speaking during the flag off Ceremony at the Timber Market, Ahieke Ndume Ibeku, u.uahia North LGA, Governor Otti expressed confidence that the intervention will end many years of nightmares suffered by Residents and Motorists plying the road.
He made it clear that the Project symbolises his administration’s commitment to reversing Years of Infrastructural decay and driving inclusive Economic Growth across the State.
In his speech entitled “The End Of A Nightmare”, the Governor noted “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 pointed out 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.
He 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.
Dr Otti 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 Street Lights, proper Drainage Systems, and quality asphalt layers to ensure durability.
In their separate remarks, the Senator representing Abia Central District at the National Assembly, Senator Austin Akobundu, and the Deputy Speaker, Abia State 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, Mr Otumchere Oti, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Izuchukwu Onwughara, noted that the effort represents the breaking of a jinx of over 40 Years.
Also Speaking, the President General, Ndume Otuka Autonomous Community, Sir John Onyiro who lamented that the road has been used by past administrations for Political purposes with unfulfilled promises, urged Residents to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and support Governor Otti for a Second Term as a mark of appreciation for his commendable performance.
