Ex-lawmaker Cautions Against Returning Road Funding To Ministry

The immediate past member of the House of Representatives (Ikwuano/Umuahia), Sam Onuigbo has cautioned against the proposed returning of funding of the reconstruction of Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road by the federal government to the Ministry of Works.

Onuigbo spoke yesterday during Ikwuano/Umuahia stakeholders’ meeting in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, saying it is better to allow the Nigeria National Petroleum (NNPC) to continue to fund the project.

He said the proposal to return the fund to the ministry will not only derail the achievements recorded so far but also lead to unpleasant consequences that could lead to more suffering by motorists and commuters.

“To this end, I call on serving political officeholders and all stakeholders to direct their energies towards ensuring that NNPCL doubles its efforts in releasing more funds to enable the full actualisation of the project.

“Though the target of the total reconstruction of the 51-kilometre road is yet to be fully achieved, the current rehabilitation work on the road is traceable to the funds released by the NNPCL,” he noted.

The two-term legislator from 2015-2023 lauded the NNPCL “for the good job that the contractors have done along the Ehimiri/Streams of Joy International axis” and enjoined them to keep it up.

“Once again, I thank President Bola Tinubu for his special interest in the welfare and affairs of the South East zone and assure him of the desire of the people to reciprocate these gestures.”

Onuigbo, who represents the South East on the governing board of the North East Development Commission, thanked the House deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu, for his role in the establishment and inauguration of the South East Development Commission.

“Similarly, I appreciate the governor of the state, His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti, for the projects his government is undertaking across the state.

“I can’t end this without acknowledging the current minister of Works, His Excellency, Senator David Umahi, for his role in ensuring the proper funding of the project.

“Therefore, let us use this opportunity to appeal to the minister to ensure the proper award of the 16-kilometre Umuahia-Umudike Dualisation Project, which has a provision for an interchange (flyover) from Amachara across the Abia Tower to Ossa in line with the design and their letter of July 29, 2020.”

Eze Donatus Aguiyi of Ndume Otuka, his counterpart of Amawom Oboro, Eze Chidike Ironsi and a political leader in the state, Charles Ogbonnaya, lauded Onuigbo for his efforts to ensure the completion of the project.

Earlier, the chairman of the meeting and chief medical director of Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Onyebuchi Azubuike, urged the federal government to prioritise the completion of the project.