Sanni Marvelous
The Federal Government has injected over N131bn into key road projects in Abia State as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda aimed at reviving the South East economy through strategic infrastructure investments.
Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, disclosed this during his state visit to Abia on October 3, where he commissioned the reconstructed Port Harcourt Road and seven other clusters of roads in Aba.
According to him, the administration is committed to transforming the transport corridors of the South East to enhance productivity, trade, and competitiveness across the region.
“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 Sixty Six Billion Naira (N66,000,000,000.00) done by gallant contractors,” he said.
He explained that work on the 49-kilometre Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene road had reached significant milestones, with 14 kilometres completed.
“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,” Umahi added.
The Minister also confirmed that the federal government had fully completed 50 kilometres of the Ikot Ekpene–Aba dual carriageway at a cost of N65bn, with directives already issued for the construction of the second carriageway.
On the Port Harcourt–Aba expressway, he said, “The impossible Port Harcourt–Aba road, 43 kilometres, government has completed fully one 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.”
He noted that 15 kilometres of the single carriageway of the double carriage route had also been completed, adding that “you can well do your businesses, taking off from Aba, and in 30 minutes you are at Onne Port.”
Umahi commended Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for the visible infrastructural transformation in the state.
“I commend your Governor very highly, I have listened to his developmental plans, and I know 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,” the minister said.
In his welcome address, Governor Otti thanked President Tinubu for the unprecedented support extended to the South East, particularly in the rehabilitation of economically vital federal highways.
“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,” Otti said.
He added that the improved connectivity had revitalized trade across the region.
“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,” he said.
The governor emphasised that Aba remains the symbol of the South East’s entrepreneurial spirit, adding that his administration would continue to invest in projects that secure the future of Abia’s people. He also lauded President Tinubu for appointing Senator Umahi as Minister of Works, describing him as “a round peg in a round hole who has shown immeasurable passion and commitment to delivering on the road revolution agenda of the Renewed Hope administration.”
The roads commissioned by the President include the reconstruction of Port Harcourt Road, Ohanku Road, Ndoki Road, Ajiwe Road, Umuatako Road, Gabriel Nwosu Road, Nkoro Road, and People’s Road—all of which the governor said were of immense economic importance to residents and businesses in Abia State.
