…Says Umuahia-Bende fed road has expired
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Commissioner for Information, Abia State, Prince Okey Kanu, has hinted that five additional roads reconstructed by the Gov. Alex Otti-led administration, were ready for inauguration.
This is as he said that the 19.5 kilometer Umuahia-Bende federal road had expired and required total reconstruction, but noted that the permission of the Federal Government would first be obtained.
The Commissioner who dropped the hint during a press briefing on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting, said the affected roads were reconstructed under direct labour initiative.
He enumerated the roads as the 19.5- kilometre Umuahia-Bende Road phase 1 and 2; the 1.76 kilometres Igbere junction to Onu roundabout; the 2.5 kilometres Umuokogbuo road; the 8.3 Isieketa-Obikabia road Isiala Ngwa South LGA and the Obehie-Ezendioma road Ukwa West LGA.
The Commissioner explained that based on a report by the State Ministry of Works, the 19.5 km Umuahia-Bende road had outlived its useful life, declaring that “it’s no more economical to continue to maintain the road.”
He said: “The road has therefore been recommended for total reconstruction. Unfortunately, the road is a federal road and there will be necessary interactions between the state government and federal authorities over the road going forward.”
Prince Kanu also announced that “the Umuahia Urban Renewal Project meant to turn Umuahia into a modern city is progressing well as the reconstruction and expansion work along Library Avenue and Akanu Ibiam road down to FMC junction would soon be ready for inauguration.”
He said that other projects in the capital city including the bus terminal and bus shelters at strategic places were progressing and would be completed soon.
“The Umuahia Urban Renewal Project is progressing very well. It is a project that is meant to turn Umuahia into a modern city.
“Quite a lot of work is ongoing across the state capital. It is all part of the efforts to turn Umuahia into a beautiful modern city, through changes in the look and feel of the city.
“The road and junction improvement works are progressing well. For the bus terminal project, I don’t know those of us who have been able to pass through there recently to have a look at what’s going on there,” Prince Kanu stated.
The Information Commissioner equally announced that the registration of all commercial vehicles operating in the state is still ongoing and encouraged those yet to comply with the initiative to do so as government would soon commence strict enforcement of the directives.
Prince Kanu, also announced the release of a prominent business man who was kidnapped in Ukwa East few weeks ago.
The Commissioner who refrained from giving details about the incident, said that the State Government had warned traditional rulers against harbouring criminals in their communities.
He also cautioned town union leaders to be vigilant and report all cases of suspicious movements involving criminal elements to security agents.
“As is usual with security matters, I may not want to go into details of what happened to the businessman, but the state government is advising Abians to remain vigilant. Town unions and traditional rulers must be alive to their duties of keeping watch over their domains.
“The State Government is frowning seriously at this and the warning is that if you are caught in the act of harbouring criminals, you will be treated as one.
“When you see something, take action by making discreet reports to the security agencies,” Kanu said.
He added that the state government would through security agencies start beaming its lights on on all traditional rulers to ascertain those who harbour criminals in their domains, warning that any of such traditional ruler found culpable would be treated as one.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma; the GM Umuahia Capital Development Authority UCDA Mr Kingsley Agomoh; and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, were at the briefing.
