Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The House of Representatives, has asked the Inspector-General of Police to launch investigation into the circumstances surrounding the road crash on the Nmuri bridge axis of the Umuahia-Bende-Ohafia federal road, and to consider charging the contractor with “corporate manslaughter.”
This followed a petition and motion of urgent matter of importance brought before the House by the member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency, Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa, on behalf of his constituents regarding the deplorable condition of the road and Nmuri bridge in particular.
The petition is coming on the heels of a fatal road accident at the Nmuri bridge on December 22, 2024, in which seven lives were lost.
The carnage dubbed ‘black Sunday crash’ sparked widespread rage and public outcry about the deplorable condition of the road and the narrow colonial Nmuri bridge.
Idima Abam people, in the petition expressed rage over the slow pace of work on the Umuahia-Bende-Ohafia federal road.
The road was awarded by the federal government to Heartland Setraco since 3018 but work has been going on on a snail speed.
Providing more insight on the petition, Hon. Osonwa, said his constituents had suffered untold hardship as a result of the deplorable condition of the road, and called for urgent intervention.
He said: “I brought to the attention of the House, a matter of Urgent Public Importance concerning the perilous condition of the Nmuri Bridge and the F107 Road in Ebem Ohafia, Abia State.
“The current state of these infrastructures poses significant risks to the safety and well-being of our citizens, as they are essential routes for transportation and commerce.
“Given the alarming reports of accidents and the inconvenience faced by commuters, it is imperative that we prioritise the urgent repair and maintenance of these key structures. I urged my fellow members to recognise the gravity of this situation and take swift action to allocate necessary resources and attention to ensure the safety of the residents and visitors who rely on these vital connections.”
Hon. Osonwa had also in a motion of urgent matter of importance on Wednesday, urged his colleagues to compel the contractor to speedly execute the crawling road project.
He wondered why the project would continue to linger even after huge sums up money had been released to the contractor.
A copy of the motion read: “Notes with grave concern the deteriorating state of the Nmuri Bridge Access and the F107 road in Ebem Ohafia, Abia State, which serve as critical infrastructure connecting the Umuahia-Bende-Arochukwu-Ohafia to other neighbouring towns and fostering socioeconomic activities in the region;
“Further notes that the Nmuri access of the F107 Road has suffered extensive damage, rendering it hazardous for commuters, while the F107 road is riddled with potholes and erosion gullies, causing accidents and delays, particularly during the rainy season;
“Aware that the unsafe condition of the road has resulted in numerous fatalities, loss of properties, and has significantly hampered the movement of goods and services, which is detrimental to the economic wellbeing of the people of Ohafia and surrounding Communities;
“Acknowledges that the contract for the reconstruction of the F107 Ohafia Bende Umuahia road was awarded in 2018 to Hartland Setraco for the sum of N5.49 billion under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Works;
“Aware that the Federal Executive Council approved an additional N12 billion for the project, with over N300 million allocated in the 2021 and N400 Million in 2024 Appropriation Bill, raising suspicions of corruption and mismanagement.
“Further aware that the continued neglect of these critical infrastructures poses a serious threat to public safety, hinders access to essential services such as healthcare, education and businesses undermines the government’s commitment to equitable development across all regions;
“Disheartened that the bad condition of the F107 Road made Sunday, 22nd December 2024, a black Sunday in my Constituency, as a tragic accident occurred at approximately 1:30 pm, involving a chippings-filled trailer that overturned, tragically claiming the lives of seven innocent travelers;
“Cognizant of the urgent need to avert further loss of lives and damage to properties by prioritising the reconstruction of the Nmuri axis and the rehabilitation of the F107 road.”
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has urged the House Committees on Works, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), PublicAccounts, and Public Procurement to jointly conduct a comprehensive investigation into the activities and funding of the project.
