Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State, Thursday, has flaged-off the reconstruction of 13.9 kilometres Onuinyang-Okporoenyi-Oboro- Ikwuano road with a promise to ensure it is completed on schedule.
The road which has been abandoned for decades, leads to major agrarian communities in Bende and Ikwuano Local Government Areas
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held at Central School Okporoenyi, Bende LGA, Governor Alex Otti said that the road traverses the central and northern parts of the State and connects tens and thousands of farmers to the urban markets within and outside the State
According to him, his government sees roads as pathways to prosperity and assured of quality work delivery and timely completion too.
“In the new Abia, we conceive roads as pathways to prosperity for present and future generations.
“Our determination to build quality road networks to connect all parts of the State is founded on the conviction that there are abundant human and material resources to be harnessed by opening the roads that were hitherto abandoned through systemic neglect.”
Governor Otti, who said that the road are economically strategic and on completion, would be of great gain to members of the benefiting communities and grow the State’s economy, noting that the benefiting communities are known for their agricultural produce.
“The communities around this corridor are central to the State’s agricultural development framework having been renowned for the quality and quantity of their farm produce including cocoa, cassava, rice cereals and vegetables.
“It will on completion facilitate the regular transport of people and agricultural commodities, fast-rack intercommunity trade and broaden social interaction among individuals, families and clans.”
He described his intervention in that road as a demonstration of the fidelity of the administration as the government had earlier vowed that no single community would be neglected.
“We made a commitment at the inception of this administration that not a single community in Abia shall be neglected in our determined push to revive the drivers of our economy and create an environment that supports the dreams and aspirations of our hard working population,” Gov. Otti stated.
The Governor commended the resilience of the people in sustaining their farming activities despite challenges they had faced for decades. He announced that this 2025 would mark a turning point for millions of Ndi Abia across the 17 LGAs.
Speaking also, the member representing Bende South State Constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Ndubuisi and the Deputy Chief of Staff Office of the Deputy Governor, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwo, who were full of joy thanked the Governor for his resolve to fix the road and said that it demonstrates that he is determined to govern the State well.
The Commissioner for Works, Engr. Otumchere Oti while appreciating the Governor’s unwavering commitment to ensuring all nooks and crannies are opened up said that the benefiting communities produce many food and cash crops but lack of access roads has hindered them all these while, hence the intervention of Governor Otti.
He disclosed that the road is divided into two sections with each section being handled by different companies and disclosed that the contract period is 6 months, assuring that, It is an asphaltic concrete road with culverts and drains and solar streetlights installation.
The Mayor of Ikwuano Dr. Anthony Nwaubani, and his Bende counterpart, Deacon Uwabunkeonye Bassey said that Dr. Otti is empowering the people through creating access road for them and described him as a project delivering Governor. They said that constructing the road is a boost to agriculture in Abia State.
In their goodwill messages and interviews, some members of the benefiting communities including Eze Engr. Ossy Iromantu of Okporoenyi autonomous community, Eze (Prof.) Innocent Ezeala of Ibe Uzo Amawom-Oboro and Chief Sunny Chigbu of Nkalunta, saluted Governor Alex Otti for remembering the people of the communities by coming to fix the road which was last constructed in 1952 by the then Eastern region leadership under Dr. Michael Okpara.
They recalled how deteriorated the road has been and described the road as an open gate to increased agricultural development as the communities are known as the food basket of Abia State.
