Otti says fixing rural roads will bring economic prosperity to communities, reduce unemployment
…Flags-off reconstruction of Nunya-Eluama road
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Photo Caption
Gov Alex Otti addressing the crowd during the flag-off of the reconstruction of the 11.5 Nunya-Umuebere-Eluam road, Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, says extension of his administration’s ongoing road revolution across the state to fixing deplorable roads in rural communities was to expose the grassroots to greater economic prosperity and reduce unemployment.
“This project links into our general strategy of opening up our rural communities for greater prosperity through quicker access to urban markets and increased investments which ultimately would yield massive employment opportunities for thousands of our young people,” Governor Otti told the jubilant crowd that gathered to witness the flag-off of the reconstruction of the 11.5 kilometre Nunya-Umuebere-Eluama road connecting many communities in Isuikwuato local government area of the state.
Performing the flag-off ceremony at the Nunya junction of the Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt expressway, Governor Otti also noted that the road development efforts by his administration would bring investments to rural communities.
“As I mentioned last week when we flagged off the reconstruction of the Arochukwu – Ndi Okereke – Ozu Abam road, our over- riding goal is to turn every community in the State to a safe and secured investment destination with suitable supporting infracstructure,” he said.
The Governor was optimistic that the Nunya-Eluama road reconstruction project, upon completion, would provide support for farmers in the area to evacuate their farm produce.
Other communities linked by the road include Umunnekwu, Amaebulohia and Amaba.
According to the Governor, the road is important to the social and economic growth of the people, as they would now easily access the state capital, Umuahia and other urban centres.
“I am particularly happy because I know the importance of this stretch of road to the various economic and social groups who, in about 12 months when this project is billed to be completed, will spend less to move their agricultural produce to the urban centres for better returns,” Otti said, adding that the choice of China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) Limited to rebuild the road was to ensure quality work and based on firm’s competence and ability to deliver in record time.
The Governor also used the opportunity to assure Abians all the ongoing road projects across the state would be completed on schedule.
“We are very strategic in our approach. First, let me announce that all our road projects are proceeding as scheduled and would be delivered and commissioned as planned. So, rather than delay, we are actually getting signals that many of the road projects would be completed in much earlier time than scheduled,” he announced.
The Member representing Isuikwuato State Constituency at the State House of Assembly, Hon. Lucky Johnson, as well as the Mayor of Isuikwuato LGA, Air Vice Marshall Chinwendu Onyike (Rtd), expressed their joy that the state government has come to fix their dilapidated road, abandoned for decades now, and assured of their maximum support to the Governor to enable him achieve his goal in the governance of the state.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works , Engr. Don Oti, had assured that the Ministry of Works would supervise the road to ensure it was delivered on time and in line with specifications, adding that with the rate at which Governor Otti was moving in fixing road infracstructure in the State, Abia would soon become a centre of reference for development.
In their seperate speeches, some prominent sons of Isuikwuato LGA, including a former Chief of Army Staff, Leautnant General Azubuike Ihejirika (Rtd.), and the Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth and Sports, Mr. Chinedu Ekeke, maintained that provision of good road infrastructure and security were among the hallmarks of good governance.
They commended the Governor for his resolve to fix the Nunya-Eluama -Isuikwuato road that has been in deplorable condition for decades and commended the Governor for deploying a notable engineering company to reconstruct the road.
General Manager CCECC, the firm handling the job, Mr. Eric Shen, assured that his company would deliver quality work in line with specifications and in record time too, stating that the road, upon completion, would achieve its aim of connectivity, facilitate commerce and enhance lives of people of the area.
Statistics provided by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, show that as at date, 62 sections of roads across the state have been maintained and rehabilitated; while nine roads have so far neen rehabilitated and inaugurated in Aba, with 29 other roads being reconstructed across the state.
“You will agree with me that it is no mean feat by any stretch of the imagination for all these to have been achieved within a space of about nine months,” Kanu said, while commenting on the Nunya road reconstruction project.
