Fortune has begun to smile on the people of Arochukwu Local Government Area following the commencement of construction work on the long-abandoned Arochukwu-Ndi Okereke-Ozu Abam road.
Governor Alex Otti flagged off the 30km road project on March 20 to the excitement of residents of the agrarian communities along that axis.
The road is the shortest route to Arochukwu from the capital city of Umuahia through Abam.
“Coming just weeks after work began on the 67-kilometre Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Ohafia Road, the clear message is that no part of the State shall be left behind in our push to expand the frontiers of economic and social opportunities for individuals, families and businesses,” the governor declared amidst accolades from a mammoth crowd of appreciative folks.
The governor regretted the gross neglect of economically viable roads by previous administrations, which had cost the State the benefit of harvesting investors.
He said: ”The cost of this neglect on the economy of the State in terms of lost opportunities cannot be quantified. Farmers in rural communities found it difficult to move their produce to the markets leading to heavy post-harvest losses.
“Most painfully, businessmen and women from different parts of Nigeria and the West African sub-region who had relied on markets in Aba for supplies quickly took their patronage to other places. With business returns plummeting, several commercial entities that previously employed thousands of our people quietly closed shops or relocated.”
Otti said his administration deliberately resolved to prioritize road rehabilitation as a way to revive the economy of the State.
“As a government that made a covenant to bring succour to the people after many years of frustrations, we knew that road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance must be made major priorities long before we took our oath of office.
“Starting with some of the most strategic roads in Aba and Umuahia, we are now expanding the scope to cover roads that connect our agricultural zones to the urban areas in order to boost the State’s agricultural output and expand our economic corridors to create jobs for thousands of our young people while taming rural-urban migration. “
He said the project is expected to be delivered in one year, adding that he carefully chose reputable construction firms to handle road projects in the state.
“The Arochukwu-Ndi Okereke-Ozu Abam Road will on completion in about 12 months, revive the agricultural and allied business ecosystem within several communities in Arochukwu and Ohafia LGAs and open an expanded economic window for those seeking to tap into the promises of the New Abia by investing here.
“Fixing this road simultaneously with the Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Ohafia Road is a strategic initiative to guarantee that the stretch of road from this axis to Umuahia and Aba is in optimal shape, making the movement of people, agro and allied commodities from the northern part of the State to the urban centres is hassle-free. “
Otti further said that the reconstruction of the roads would also “improve the social dynamics in the communities, making travel less risky and adding an extra layer of incentives for our kith and kin living in places far and near to visit home more frequently for social functions and engagements.”
The Governor, therefore, urged residents to dutifully pay their taxes to enable his Government to carry out its responsibilities.
“Citizens and businesses are encouraged to pay their taxes with religious commitments. Thankfully, we have created multiple digital and traditional channels to make the payment of taxes and other statutory fees seamless.
“Our infrastructural and social development programmes will be stalled if we fall short on the financial obligations required to keep the bulldozers and other earth moving equipment at our different project sites in motion.”
He also said that “in addition to paying our taxes as and when due, we have an obligation to protect public facilities in our communities and neighbourhoods.”
The governor warned that acts of vandalism and criminal destruction of public infrastructure would never be tolerated, vowing to deploy the full weight of the law to deal with anyone that “attempts to sabotage our modest efforts at making all parts of Abia safe destinations for honest and legitimate endeavours.”
He was accompanied to the occasion by the Mayor of Arochukwu LGA, Chief Joe Eze Aru, top government functionaries including the state’s Commissioner for Works, Engr. Otumchere Oti, Special Adviser on Monitoring and Evaluation, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor, Mazi Ogbonnia Okereke, General Manager ASEPA and Mazi Chimereze Okoro, Special Adviser on Internally Generated Revenue.
His Royal Majesty, Eze Eberechukwu Oji, Eze Aro of Arochukeu kingdom led other traditional rulers from Arochukwu including the Eze Ibom Isii, Mazi Amos Egbu Okoro and the Eze Ezeagwu, Mazi Okorafor Uro to the road flag off.
Recall that the road was awarded to Hapel Nig Ltd during the tenure of Navy Capt Temi Ejoor (Rtd) with not much work done. The Okezie Ikpeazu administration later re-awarded the contract to Masta Services Ltd which constructed a concrete bridge before the project was abandoned apparently due to poor funding.
The project is being handled by GELD Construction Ltd
No comments