Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, says that his Government is not terminating any ongoing road construction project leading to Ukwa East midway, as he is committed to completing all the road projects he has embarked upon.
Governor Otti stated this while addressing issues raised by a delegation of the Ezumezu Ndoki Patriotic Association, who called on him in his office.
He explained some of the challenges being faced on the roads, including how he reached out to the Governor of Ákwa Ibom State and settled the issues around the Akirikaobu road.
“About some of the roads you mentioned, there is no road we are terminating midway.
“I know that the Akirikaobu route starts from Obingwa. And the construction is still on. So, by the time it’s completed, it will terminate in Akwa Ibom State.
“Obohia road had a challenge. But we have almost solved it. And if you go to Obohia road, you will see that construction is going on as we speak.
“The previous administration had awarded it to a company called Heartland. And before we came, the job was abandoned. And I engaged and had meetings with them and they promised to go back to the site and I think they are on site.
“So, Obohia road, we found out that the original tunnel that was there had been blocked. The way it is, trying to retrieve it was going to be more expensive than doing a new one.
“So, we decided to do a new one that is deep enough that we can also control to take all the water to the Aba River,” Gov. Otti assured.
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The Governor, who equally explained why work is yet to commence on the proposed seaport project in Ukwa, said that he would not start the seaport project until he is sure of the availability of funds.
“I was the one who came up with the idea that we needed a seaport. The Chinese who are working with us have turned in their feasibility reports.
“And clearly, a lot of dredging needs to be done. I think from that report, if I’m not mistaken, we need to dredge about 19.5 kilometres to the high sea.
“So, that is not consistent with the initial preliminary report that we got. So, to do this kind of work, it requires a whole lot of money.
“So, we know how dredging is. We have now gone back to the drawing board because before we start any project, a lot of things are important to us.
“One, we must ensure that it is viable, and before we start, we must confirm that we have the money to fund it so that we don’t start a project and abandon it or delay it midway.
“On partnerships, of course, we have all the approvals and licences required. But I want to assure you that it is a project that we have in mind. The new issues that came up are the reasons it looks like we are a bit slow.
“So, we will not start the seaport project until we are very sure that we have the funds to complete it available,” Gov. Otti maintained.
The State Chief Executive, reassured the Ukwa people that his Government is their Government, and thanked them for appreciating the modest efforts he has made in the last 27 months.
This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Otti’s Chief press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha and made available to journalists in Umuahia.
Earlier in his speech, the Mayor of Ukwa East, Mr. Chibunna Akara informed the Governor that many stakeholders in Ukwa East have expressed interest in joining the moving train.
He thanked the Governor for what he has been doing and said that his people are happy with the new Abia under Governor Otti.
Also, speaking, the leader of the delegation and President Ezumezu Ndoki Patriotic Association, High Chief I. N. Ahunanya explained that the association has been a political power broker in Ukwa East for a long time.
He commended Governor Otti for his infrastructural development across the State and asked the Governor to hand over the campaign of Ukwa East to their hands, assuring him of his reelection in 2027.
Chief Ahunanya mentioned some roads leading to Ukwa, complaining that construction works there appear to have stopped midway as well as the seaport that needs to be built in Ukwa, and urged the Governor to intervene.
The meeting was attended by senior Government appointees among others.
