The Federal Government has said its making up plans to complete the 56 kilometres dualised of Umuahia-Aba road, costing at Sixty Six Billion Naira (N66,000,000,000.00) done by Galant contractors.
Minister of Works, Sen. Engr David Umahi disclosed when representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at a grand reception to mark commissioning of Port Harcourt Road and 7 other road clusters held in Abia State recently.
He stated that Abia State plays a pivotal role in the economic development of Nigeria and therefore has continued to benefit from the road infrastructure revolution taking place across the Geo-Political Zones of Nigeria.
According to him, “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 of Umuahia-Aba road, costing us Sixty Six Billion Naira (N66,000,000,000.00) done by galant contractors.
“Let me tell you that Umuahia Ikot Ekpene 49 kilometres, we have completed 14 kilometres, and 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.
“Let me also announce that the famous Lagos-Calabar coastal highway and the axis of Akwa Ibom is passing through this very important road, Umuahia Ikot Ekpene road, which means that if you are on this road when completed, in 5 hours, you will be in Lagos. 
“The Ikot Ekpene-Aba road, which is 48 kilometres by 2, we have fully completed 50 kilometres, 1 full carriage way, and ½, costing N65,000,000,000. Work has been directed to start on the 2nd carriage way.
“The impossible Port Harcourt -Aba road, 43 kilometres, and government has completed fully 1 carriage. 15 minutes from Aba, you will be in Port Hacourt. And I know very well that a lot of Aba people do business in Onne Port Complex”.
“Let me announce again, that the 15 kilometres of the single carriage way of double carriage way is fully completed, which means your businesses can do well, taking off from Aba, and in 30 minutes you are at Onne Port”, the Minister stated.
As contained in statement released by his aide, Umahi commended Abia State Governor for the wave of infrastructural restoration witnessed under his Govt and described him as a sound economist and very experienced personality who came to take Abia State to the path of prosperity.
“I commend your Governor very highly, I have listened to his developmental plans, and I know your Governor before now, 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, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti thanked the President for the unprecedented support received by the States of South East, especially in the transformation of economic enablers necessary to stimulate economic growth and sustainability. He was particularly excited by the federal government’s intervention on the federal highways connecting to Abia State courtesy of the President.
“I would like to thank Federal Govt 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 roads passing through and leading into the city.
“It is to the eternal credit of the present federal administration that Aba welcome hundreds of thousands of customers each week from PH and other parts of Rivers following 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 who now access the city with little hassle following rehabilitation of the Aba-Ikot Ekpene federal highway”.The Governor stated that Aba is a symbol of the resilient spirit and entrepreneurial energy of South East, while vowed that his administration was committed to investing in projects that would build the destiny of the people of Abia State.
He expressed a renewed hope that the State would continue to enjoy goodwill and support of the federal government as he works to address socio-economic challenges facing the people of his State.
Otti further thanked Mr. President for appointing Sen. Umahi, to handle the Federal Ministry 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.
Roads commissioned by Mr. President included: the reconstruction of Port Harcourt Road, Ohanku, Ndoki, Ajiwe, Umuatako, Gabriel Nwosu, Nkoro and the people’s roads which the Governor said were of immense economic importance to the people of the State.
