Introduction to Infrastructure Development in South-Eastern Nigeria
A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia, Chief Sam Onuigbo, says President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated commitment to the infrastructure development of the South-Eastern part of the country. Onuigbo, a former member of the House of Representatives, said this in Abuja on Thursday while addressing newsmen. He represents South East in the North East Development Commission Governing Board.
Commitment to Infrastructure Development
Onuigbo said Tinubu, through his Renewed Hope Agenda, had reflected the commitment through the ongoing rehabilitation of Umuahia Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene Road. “Tinubu has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to delivering infrastructure progress and the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot-Ekpene Road is no exception. The government’s record speaks for itself, no misinformation can eclipse the tangible strides made daily on this project.
Addressing Claims of Abandonment
He said that it was, therefore, unfortunate to claim that the project had been abandoned as being insinuated in some quarters. According to him, to argue that the APC-led Federal Government was no longer committed to the complete rehabilitation of the road was unfortunate. “The claims are erroneous, and deliberately crafted to stoke public disaffection and misrepresent the actual state of affairs regarding the road. It represents nothing but a disservice to the Federal Government’s efforts,’’ Onuigbo said.
History of the Road Rehabilitation
He said he led other stakeholders from the area to convince the Federal Government to intervene in rehabilitating the road. “We were successful in getting the then Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola to award the road contracts. However, funding has always been a problem. We were successful in getting the then minister to award the road contracts. However, funding has always been a problem. Then we went back and appealed to him, and he was able to move the road to NNPC funding on Road Tax Credit Scheme. For the government to approve the sum of N14.37 billion on Feb. 3, 2025, for the same road, means that the road has not been abandoned or neglected,” he told newsmen.
Economic Importance of the Road
He described the road to be a major economic project for the nation because it links oil-producing states of Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Abia States. He said it also leads to the commercial city of Aba and Export Processing Zone in Calabar. “The people of that zone have indeed suffered for lack of good road. I think that is why they are working hard to make sure that the road is fixed. Like I said, you can use that road also to go to Cameroon. So it is a major economic point for the nation and I believe that the government realises its importance,’’ Onuigbo said.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the APC-led Federal Government has demonstrated its commitment to infrastructure development in the South-Eastern part of the country. The rehabilitation of the Umuahia Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene Road is a testament to this commitment. Despite claims of abandonment, the government has shown that it is dedicated to completing the project.
FAQs
Q: What is the current status of the Umuahia Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene Road?
A: The road is currently undergoing rehabilitation, with the government approving N14.37 billion for the project.
Q: Why is the road important?
A: The road is a major economic project that links oil-producing states and leads to the commercial city of Aba and Export Processing Zone in Calabar.
Q: Who is overseeing the project?
A: Chief Sam Onuigbo, a former member of the House of Representatives, is representing South East in the North East Development Commission Governing Board and is involved in the project.
