The positive expectation of the completion of the 51-kilometre Umuahia (Abia State) to Ikot Ekpene (Akwa Ibom State) federal road has become more realistic.

Despite the contract for this road reconstruction being awarded about nine years ago, its completion and delivery have been delayed or even stalled despite its strategic location and economic importance as a route connecting Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Rivers states, including part of neighbouring Cameroon.

It is now hopeful completion is predicated on the approval by the Federal Government via an Executive Order for the transfer of its funding to the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) through the Road Tax Credit Scheme and another approval of N14.37 billion augmentation by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on February 3, 2025.

The immediate past two-term Ikwuano/Umuahia lawmaker in the House of Representatives, Sam Onuigbo, who made this known during the Ikwuano/Umuahia stakeholders’ meeting held yesterday on the road in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, showered commendation on President Bola Tinubu, describing this as one of his special interests in the welfare and affairs of the South East Zone.

He said, “One beautiful fact to note at this stage is that this approval came before the Annual Appropriation Bill is assented to, which clearly shows the importance President Tinubu attaches to this important economic artery (road).”

Hon. Onuigbo, who is now the Southeast representative on the governing board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), recalled his efforts that facilitated the award of the road contract, including his various strides towards its failed full execution and palliatives therein.

He said, “As a former member of the House of Representatives who initiated some of these moves to tackle infrastructural needs of my people in my constituency, I feel obliged to always speak on issues emanating from these ongoing projects.”

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He therefore charged serving political office holders to direct their energies toward ensuring that NNPCL doubles efforts in releasing more funds to enable the full realisation of the road reconstruction project.

He acknowledged the efforts of other people who, he said, in one way or another, attracted/facilitated projects to Abia State, specifically naming ex-Abia State Governor/Senator for Abia Central, Senator Theodore Orji; Governor Alex Otti; former Works Minister, Babatunde Fashola; serving Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and serving Works Minister, David Umahi, among others.

He appealed to Works Minister Umahi “to ensure the proper award of the 16-kilometer Umuahia-Umudike Dualization Project, which has a provision for an Interchange (Flyover) from Amachara across the Abia Tower to Osaa, in line with the design and their letter of 29th July 2020.”

The stakeholders in attendance, comprising community leaders, traditional rulers, politicians, non-politicians, and public servants, who spoke in turns and appreciated the Federal Government’s latest move to fully execute this contract, lauded Onuigbo’s sustained efforts while in and out of government to see the road completed and put to public use.