The Federal Government has officially transferred responsibility for the Owerri–Umuaka Road, Onuigbo–Umuahia Road, Omezuo Bridge, and Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road to the Abia State Government for completion.
This follows a request by Governor Alex Otti and the subsequent approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reflecting a collaborative effort to accelerate road infrastructure development.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who carried out the handover on behalf of the President during a civic reception organized by the Bende Progressive Union at the Aba Enyimba Stadium, said the move demonstrates the Renewed Hope Administration’s commitment to improving the nation’s road network and fostering federal–state cooperation.
Umahi further authorised Governor Otti to oversee the construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of the listed roads and encouraged other state governors to take similar initiatives in the national interest.
Commending Otti’s proactive intervention in rehabilitating federal roads, the minister described him as a leader driven by the needs of his people rather than political affiliations.
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 that marred their planned pace and ultimate completion.
He, therefore, urged the people of Abia and the South-East to fully support the government of the day, as well as endorse President Tinubu for a second term in office to continue being relevant as an integral part of the Nigerian project.
Earlier in the day, upon arriving in Aba, the minister, who 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, chided the company for not living up to its reputation as a stickler to quality and time in project delivery.
He consequently gave the contractor one month to complete the remaining 4.1 kilometres of the contract. Responding, 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 said that it was not the first time that the state would be intervening in the execution of the Federal Government’s projects, insisting that “the end justifies the means.”
Also, the Bende Union Leader, in his address, described the event as a collective endorsement of Otti’s transformational leadership within his 29 months in office, stating that the state now experiences a new dawn marked by purposeful leadership and visible development.
Udah, who stated that the people of Bende were known for their industry, hospitality, and support for worthy causes, announced their passing of unanimous vote of confidence in Otti and his administration
He, however, tasked Otti to do the needful on several rural and agrarian roads in Bende and neighbouring communities of Ebonyi State to enhance agricultural productivity and ease the movement of goods and people.
The Bende Union, however, announced that Otti was being honoured for exhibiting a high level of integrity and professionalism in the 2023 governorship election.
