Governor Alex Otti, OFR, on Friday officially flagged off the reconstruction of a neglected 25-kilometre stretch of the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Highway within Abia State. The ceremony held at Ahiaeke, Umuahia, marks a key milestone in the state’s infrastructure drive.
The road, long in a state of decay, forms part of a 51-kilometre federal corridor. While it is officially a federal highway, Governor Otti declared that his government “does not distinguish between federal and state roads,” arguing that “majority of the users are our people who ply them daily to work or to push their agro-produce to urban markets.”
During the ceremony, the governor thanked President Bola Tinubu and the federal government for approving the handover of the project to the state.
He also acknowledged the support of the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, CON, and urged motorists to brace for some disruption as “the night of anguish has now given way to the rising of a new light.”
The governor revealed that the contract for the reconstruction has been awarded to Geld Construction Limited and is slated for completion in about 18 months.
Solar-powered street-lighting will also be installed along the corridor to boost safety and socio-economic activity.
He noted that early interruption of transport and commerce along the route had afflicted residents, students, importers and producers for years.
He described the flag-off as the “effective end to the nightmare” that the stretch had become.
Commuters and traders along the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene axis welcomed the announcement. One transporter, on condition of anonymity, said: “We have been driving through potholes and risk for too long; this project gives us hope.”
The governor asked for patience and cooperation during the construction phase, acknowledging possible gridlocks and temporary closures.
The event is perhaps another evidence of the commitment of Abia government to infrastructural revitalisation.
Governor Otti himself reaffirmed that his administration would intervene in any road—federal, state or local—that serves the people’s needs.
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