A former Member of that represented Ikwuano/ Umuahia North/ Umuahia South Federal Constituency, Chief Sam Onuigbo has called on serving Political Office Holders and all Stakeholders in Constituency to direct their energies towards ensuring that NNPCL doubles efforts in releasing more funds to enable the full realization of the Umuahia – Ikwuano – Ikot Ekpene Federal road, instead of seeking for a reversal to the old trend of funding from the ministry.
Addressing Stakeholders during a meeting in Umuahia, Chief Onuigbo who is the current representative of the South East Zone on the Board of North East Development Commission,NEDC, pointed out that the proposal to return the project to the normal ministry funding will not only derail the attainments made so far but also lead to unpleasant consequences that could lead to more suffering by motorists and commuters.
While reminding such people that they cannot forget so soon the horrible state of the failed sections of this important road which made it impassable in the past, made it clear that the current great job being done by the NNPCL could be hastened by adding more pressure through strategic visits and lobbying by all Stakeholders to see that Motorists and commuters smile and enjoy enhanced services on this road which became a nightmare as a result of decades of neglect.
The former National Assembly Member who recalled the long struggle to get alternative means of funding the project, described any action contrary to NNPCL as counterproductive and anti people
“Having observed the funding difficulties faced by the contractors of the project, I wrote a letter dated September 27, 2021 to the Hon. Minister on the need to transfer the funding of the reconstruction work to special intervention agencies like the SUKUK Bond. To the glory of God, these efforts yielded dividends as the Federal Government via an Executive Order approved the transfer of the sponsorship of the project to the NNPCL leading to two separate letters dated October 28, 2021 to the Minister Babatunde Fashola and the Coordinating Engineer of the ministry, Chukwuemeka Ogbonna Uzo, commending their support to the approval of my earlier request.
” Knowing the efforts and pressures I exerted in making this new funding initiative come to a reality, the Hon Minister in a letter referenced WR.15136/1/42, formally conveyed to me of this pleasant development that the project has been approved for funding by NNPC through the Road Tax Credit Scheme. While assuring me of the determination of the Federal Government in ensuring the realization of the project, he vividly acknowledged my role in the struggle and described my zeal as extraordinary.
“Though the target of the total reconstruction of the 51 kilometres road is yet to be fully achieved, the current rehabilitation work going on along the road is traceable to the funds released by the NNPCL. Luckily, through concerted efforts made via visits to the appropriate quarters, precisely on February 03, 2025, the Federal Executive Council again approved an augmentation of over N14.37 billion on that road.
“One beautiful fact to note at this stage is that this approval came before the Annual Appropriation Bill is assented to. This clearly shows the importance President Tinubu attaches to this important economic artery, ” the NEDC Board Member explained.
While pointing out that the strategic Federal road serves Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River States, and the Cameroons, he recalled the rigorous journey that culminated in the current happy situation.
“The journey to the commencement of rehabilitation work and the eventual handover of the project to a different
financier dates back to the motion I moved on the floor of the Green chambers on 26th May 2016 on the deplorable state of the failed sections of the road, especially between Ndoro Oboro village and Okweukwu Community in Oboro Clan after several visits with some Traditional Rulers, Presidents-General, and Youth Leaders to the deplorable portions of the road. This was followed by my maiden visit on the 14th of June 2016 to the then Minister of Power, Works and Housing, His Excellency Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN.
“This visit resulted in a letter dated 15th June 2016 by the Honourable Minister to me commending my dogged determination and enthusiasm to seek the good of my constituency, and also reflecting on the resolutions we reached during our discussions including the commencement of the rehabilitation work, an effort I appreciated through my reply dated 16th June 2016.
“To the glory of God, one of the outcomes of the meeting was the directive to the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to carry out palliative work on that road, particularly, the Ndoro/Okwe axis, which was done between December 16, 2016 to April, 2017. Knowing how pertinent the project is to my people, I invited the representative of Abia Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator T. A. Orji CON to the flag-off, which took place on Dec 16, 2016, at Okweukwu-Oboro.
“Again following another letter to the Minister and other pressures and lobbying via my efforts in the inclusion of the road project in the Appropriation Act, the Federal Government awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the road to Hartland Nigeria Limited and Rayccon & Company Nigeria Limited.
“The inadequate funding of the road despite my pressures on the relevant authorities, indeed, led to the further deterioration of the road requiring my letters for urgent attention dated 8th &12th March 2021 as well as 20th May, 2021 to the Hon. Minister and the Managing Director of FERMA,” he revealed.
While commending the NNPCL for the good job the contractors have done along the Ehimiri/Streams of Joy International axis, he thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his special interest in the welfare and affairs of the South East Zone and assured him of the desire of the people to reciprocate these gestures.
He further commended the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Honourable Benjamin Kalu, for his leadership role in the establishment South East Development Commission Governor Alex Otti, for the projects his government is undertaking across the State well as the incumbent Minister of Works, Senator David Nwaeze Umahi, for his role in ensuring the proper funding of the project.
The NEDC Board Member, however, appealed to the Minister to ensure the proper award of the 16 Kilometres Umuahia-Umudike Dualization Project, which has a provision for an Interchange (flyover) from Amachara across the Abia Tower to Ossa in line with the design and their letter of 29th July, 2020. At this critical juncture, it is imperative that all hands must be on deck to support and sustain these development efforts in our dear state and geopolitical zone. Collaboration between government institutions, stakeholders, and citizens remains key to achieving sustainable progress.
Speaking earlier, the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, Professor Azubuike Onyebuchi who chaired the event explained that the gathering was a way of sensitizing the people on the need to ensure that the current mode of funding the road contract is sustained.
Professor Onyebuchi who had chaired the first Stakeholders meeting, commended Chief Onuigbo for the strategic role he has been playing regarding infrastructural development of the Area and reiterated the determination of Stakeholders to support him in achieving the desired objectives.
Various Speakers including Traditional Rulers, Notable Politicians, Town Union and community leaders who spoke thanked the Federal government for the quality of work on the road now and enjoined the authorities to end that NNPCL is encouraged to complete this project that has lasted a long time.
