The Federal Controller of Works for Abia, Mr. Tony Onwubiko, says the federal government under President Bola Tinubu has not abandoned any road projects in the state.
The controller disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia on Monday.
Onwubiko said that both road maintenance and construction had been sustained by the current federal government for the good of Abia people.
“We have two sets of projects: the main contracts and the maintenance works embarked upon by the Ministry.
“The main projects we have now are the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Enugu – Port Harcourt Dual Carriage Way, section two, being handled by Arab Contractors.
“The rehabilitation and dualization of Aba – Ikot Ekpene road in Abia and Akwa Ibom State by the CGGC Global Projects.
“The rehabilitation of Uturu – Isiukwuato – Akara road by Eighteenth Engineering Company International,” he said.
He named other roads handled by the federal government to include the Construction of Umuuchichi – Umueze – GZ Industries road by GZ Industries.
According to him, there is also the rehabilitation of Osisioma – Owerri road wherre the NNPC Depot is located by Rodo Nigeria Limited.
Onwubiko said the Umuahia – Bende – Ohafia road, section two and Umuahia – Ikwuano – Ikot Ekpene Road by Heartland Nigeria Limited are part of the federal projects in Abia.
He also said that Bende – Arochukwu road by Heartland Nigeria Limited was one of the major ongoing contracts of the federal government in Abia.
The controller said that the federal government’s decision to make states pay compensation for right of way was one of its challenges, hindering some jobs in the state.
He said although Gov. Alex Otti’s administration had shown interest in paying compensation, unlike the past administration, Abia is yet to acquire right of way for any federal government construction.
The controller said that the federal government used three types of funding patterns to provide for its projects.
Onwubiko said the funding patterns include budget allocation, the Tax Credit Scheme and the Islamic Bank loan called Sukuk.
He however, said that budget allocation and Sukuk were yet to pay for projects they funded while only tax credit scheme through NNPC provided for its supported projects.
“Abia has three roads under NNPC funding which is part of the Tax Credit Scheme.
“They are Osisioma – Owerri road by Rodo Nigeria Limited, Aba – Ikot Ekpene road by CGGC and Umuahia – Ikot Ekpene road by Heartland Nigeria Limited.
He said that apart from the challenge of rainy season, when budget allocation and Sukuk provide funds, projects they were funding in Abia would be fast-paced.
