Umahi Inspects Road Projects in Abia, Says Tinubu Reviving South-east Economy
Highlights N131bn ongoing projects
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, at the weekend, inspected federal roads in Abia State, stressing that President Bola Tinubu aims to revive the South-east’s economy through investment in key road infrastructure in the region.
Umahi, who commissioned the reconstructed Port Harcourt Road and seven other clusters of roads in Aba, reiterated that the Tinubu administration remained committed to transforming the transport corridors of all zones, including the South-east, to enhance productivity, trade, and competitiveness.
He said: “Let me assure you that Abia State is very important in the economic development of our nation. Presently, we are completing the 56 kilometres dualised Umuahia-Aba road, costing us N66 billion done by gallant contractors.”
A statement in Abuja by Umahi’s spokesman, Uchenna Orji, said the President has given priority attention to the transformation of the major transport corridors of South-east Nigeria.
At the event, the minister stated that Abia State plays a pivotal role in the economic development of Nigeria and therefore has continued to benefit from the road infrastructure ‘revolution’ taking place across the geo-political zones of Nigeria.
“Let me assure you that Abia State is very important in the economic development of our nation. Presently, we are completing the 56 kilometres dualised of Umuahia-Aba road, costing us N66 billion done by gallant contractors.
“Let me tell you that Umuahia Ikot Ekpene 49 kilometres, we have completed 14 kilometres, and by the request of the Governor of Abia State, we have handed over the remaining 35 kilometres of the road to him to complete, and for us to enjoy. Let me announce that the famous Lagos-Calabar coastal highway and the axis of Akwa Ibom is passing through this very important road, Umuahia Ikot Ekpene road, which means that if you are on this road when completed, in five hours, you will be in Lagos.
“The Ikot Ekpene-Aba road, which is 48 kilometres by 2, we have fully completed 50 kilometres, 1 full carriage way, and ½, costing N65 billion. Work has been directed to start on the 2nd carriage way.
“The impossible Port Harcourt-Aba road, 43 kilometres, and the government has completed fully 1 carriage. Fifteen minutes from Aba, you will be in Port Harcourt. And I know very well that a lot of Aba people do business in Onne Port Complex.
“Let me announce again that the 15 kilometres of the single carriage way of the double carriage way is fully completed, which means you can do your business, taking off from Aba, and in 30 minutes you are at Onne Port,” he added.
Umahi commended the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, for the wave of infrastructural restoration witnessed under his administration and described him as a sound economist and very experienced personality who came to take Abia State to the path of prosperity.
“I commend your governor very highly, I have listened to his developmental plans, and I knew your governor before now, he is a sound economist and very experienced personality. I have no doubt that through him, Aba has recovered its lost glory,” he stressed.
In his address of welcome, Otti thanked the federal government for the support received by the states of the South-east, especially in the transformation of economic enablers necessary to stimulate economic growth and sustainability.
“I would like to thank the federal government for its extensive support in the restoration of Aba’s advantage as a commercial and industrial community, especially with the ongoing reconstruction and rehabilitation of long-abandoned federal highways passing through and leading into the city.
“It is to the eternal credit of the present federal administration that Aba now welcomes hundreds of thousands of customers each week from Port Harcourt and other parts of Rivers State following the reconstruction of parts of the Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway from Alaoji.
“Businesses in Aba are also experiencing a surge in patronage from our brothers and sisters in Ikot Ekpene, Uyo, Calabar and other parts of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States who now access the city with little hassle following the rehabilitation of the Aba-Ikot Ekpene federal highway”, he was quoted as saying.
He stated that Aba remains a symbol of the resilient spirit and entrepreneurial energy of the South-east and said that his administration was committed to investing in projects that would build the destiny of the people of Abia State.
Otti expressed a hope that the state would continue to enjoy the goodwill and support of the federal government as he works to address the socio-economic challenges facing the people of his state.
Some roads commissioned by Umahi were: The Reconstructed Port Harcourt Road, Ohanku, Ndoki, Ajiwe, Umuatako, Gabriel Nwosu, Nkoro and people’s roads which the governor said were of immense economic importance to the people of Abia State.
