The Federal Government has handed over the Owerri–Umuaka Road, Onuigbo–Umuahia Road, Omezuo Bridge, and Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road to the Abia State Government for completion following a request by Governor Alex Otti and the subsequent approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a show of synergy and shared desire to fast-track road infrastructure.

The Federal Government also authorised the Abia State Governor to take charge of the construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of the roads, just as it called on other state governors to follow suit in the overall interest of Nigeria.

Works Minister Engr Dave Umahi, who performed the handover in Abia State over the weekend, said it was a continuation and demonstration of the Renewed Hope Administration’s resolve to significantly improve Nigeria’s road network and a show of synergy between the Federal and State Governments.

Speaking at the grand civic reception in honour of the Governor at the Eyimba International Stadium, Aba, on Friday, the Works Minister told the gathering, which included members of the National Assembly from the state and the zone, traditional rulers, opinion leaders, and other stakeholders, that he commended Governor Otti’s proactive approach to fixing failed federal roads and described him as a leader who is focused on the needs of his people rather than partisan considerations.

The Minister said: “So, I am happy that the majority of our governors are taking the bull by the horns.”
Umahi expressed concerns that the projects had suffered funding constraints over the years, which marred their planned pace and ultimate completion.

The Minister urged the people of Abia and the whole of South-East to fully support the government of the day, as well as endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office to continue being relevant as an integral part of the Nigerian project.

He informed the gathering that President Tinubu has been fair to the zone in terms of federal projects and appointments, citing his position as the first of its kind, as well as the recent appointment of the Chief of Air Staff from the zone, as a tip of the iceberg.

He also highlighted several ongoing and completed federal road projects in Abia and across the South-East, as indices of President Tinubu’s commitment to balanced infrastructure development nationwide.

Responding, Governor Otti appreciated the President for granting him approval to fund the projects to completion, describing it as value addition to the good people of Abia State and Nigeria in general. He further disclosed that this is not the first time that the state is intervening in the execution of federal government projects, insisting that “the end justifies the means.”

The gesture generated widespread commendations from a broad range of stakeholders interested in national development and integration, who described the move as a significant partnership that guarantees accelerated delivery of projects, ease of movement of people, goods, and services, and a major boost to socio-economic activities across Abia and the neighbouring states.

Earlier in the day, upon arriving in Aba, the Minister, in company with the Governor, members of the National Assembly, and other stakeholders, paid an unscheduled working visit to ongoing works on the 56.1-kilometre Section II (Umuahia Tower–Aba) of the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Enugu–Port Harcourt dual carriageway, being handled by Messrs Arab Contractors (Nig.) Limited, and chided the company for not living up to its reputation as a stickler for quality and time in project delivery.

He consequently gave the contractor one month to complete the remaining 4.1 kilometres of the contract.
The team also visited construction works on the reconstruction of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, Section IV, Aba–Port Harcourt, by Messrs CCECC (Nig.) Limited after it had issued a 14-day ultimatum to the contractor to brace up.

During an earlier visit to the project, the Minister expressed utmost dismay at the non-adherence to approved engineering standards and the slow pace of work. It took the intervention of the Governor for the Minister not to revoke the contract.

However, he had descoped it, allowing the company to continue working on the Aba-bound carriageway, while awarding the Port Harcourt-bound section to an indigenous contractor with proven track records, Messrs Trucret (Nig.) Limited, under emergency repairs.

The initial contract for alignment was awarded by the past administration in January 2017 with a 30-month completion period. It consists of the construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of the 41.4-kilometre dual carriageway from Aba (Railway Crossing) in Abia State to Eleme Junction Flyover in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. At Aba Township, the median is to be converted into an additional dual carriageway for vehicular traffic to and from Port Harcourt, while the existing expressway is to be reconstructed as outer service lanes for traffic within the town. The superhighway, when completed, will become an eight-lane carriageway, four on each side.

Similarly, at the Port Harcourt end, the existing median is to be transformed into additional lanes on both sides to make them eight.

The main objective, according to Engr. Umahi, is to complete the last of the four sections starting from Enugu in Enugu State. It is also meant to connect and enhance the performance of such national assets as the seaports, refineries, petrochemical and fertiliser plants, and others domiciled in the coastal area. “The significance of improving the socio-economic life of communities along the corridor, as well as boosting the traffic situation between Aba and Port Harcourt, cannot be overstated, ignored, or denied,” he stressed.