Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed the State ministry of works to execute immediate palliative intervention along the erosion ravaged Uzuakoli – Ohafia segment of Umuahia – Ohafia federal highway in Abia North area of the state.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the 3-day retreat organised for members of the state executive council at Addrex Hotel in Aba, Governor Ikpeazu expressed displeasure over the failed state of the road which is being handled by the NDDC. He therefore directed the state ministry of works to deploy Abia State Road Maintenance Agency (ABROMA) along that stretch of road to ensure that the distressed portions are fixed for smooth traffic during the coming Yuletide season.
“We cannot afford to wait for the federal government while our communities are cut off by erosion. I don’t care about getting refunds or not from the federal government for the money we will spend to fix that road as we cannot just fold our hands and watch our people suffer because a road is categorized as federal road. The commissioner for works must head out immediately and ensure that the road is fixed urgently”, he said.
While further expressing frustrations over the poor quality work done along the road and others in the state by contractors of the Niger Delta Development Commision (NDDC), Governor Ikpeazu called on the state ministry of works to also intervene immediately along the road leading to Ameke – Ibeku in Umuahia North LGA in order to get it fixed alongside the collapsed bridge leading to the community.
Furthermore, he directed the commissioner for works to fully take charge of the ongoing palliative works along Ururuka Road to ensure that quality work is done by the contractors handling it as well as supervise the ongoing operation zero-pothole at Aba and Umuahia respectively.
