Six years after the Federal Government awarded a multi-billion-naira contract for the reconstruction of the 49-kilometre Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road in 2019, Abia State Governor Alex Otti has re-awarded a fresh contract for the completion of the project.

Otti said the new contract covers the reconstruction of the remaining 25 kilometres of the road, which had not been completed by the previous contractor. The approval for the project, he noted, was granted by President Bola Tinubu.

According to reports, the initial contractor completed only 14 kilometres, leaving 25 kilometres in disrepair. The delay was linked to poor funding, prompting the federal government in 2021 to transfer financing responsibility to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) under the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held on Friday at Timber Market, Umuahia, Otti commended the Federal Government for its support toward the infrastructural development of Abia State.

He lamented the prolonged neglect of the road despite its deplorable state and strategic importance, saying his administration had decided to take responsibility for reconstructing the abandoned stretch.

Otti expressed appreciation to President Tinubu “for graciously giving Abia State the go-ahead to reconstruct the abandoned sections of the federal highway,” stressing that there should be no distinction between federal and state roads when the welfare of citizens is at stake.

The governor also criticised certain Abia politicians for attempting to frustrate the state government’s efforts to take over the rehabilitation of federal roads.

He, however, thanked the Federal Government for “refusing to be misled by a few political actors from the state who tried to hinder the initiative,” assuring that his administration remains committed to delivering quality infrastructure to the people.