Former Senator Ubani Supports Abia State's Move to Rehabilitate Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Highway

Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has expressed skepticism regarding the Federal Ministry of Works' assertion that the Umuahia–Ikwuano–Ikot Ekpene Road project is still being executed and funded by the Federal Government, citing the recent intervention of the Abia State Government in the project.

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Ubani's concerns were prompted by a statement from Mr. Chidi Uwaeziozi, the Federal Controller of Works in Abia State, who claimed that the road project remained under the supervision and funding of the Federal Government, despite the Abia State Government's engagement of a contractor to complete the project.

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The Abia State Government's intervention in the project was deemed necessary due to years of delays and uncoordinated construction on the road, which had resulted in prolonged suffering for residents and motorists who rely on the road for daily movement and economic activities.

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The contract for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the strategic highway was awarded in 2019 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, with the road serving as a major economic corridor linking Abia State with Akwa Ibom State and providing access to Cross River State and other parts of the South-South region.

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Despite the importance of the road to commerce and transportation, the project had experienced significant delays, leaving several sections in poor condition, with limited construction activity around the Ndioru axis, particularly between Ndioru Market and Okwe.

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Much of the road linking Umuahia through Ikwuano to Ikot Ekpene had remained in a deplorable state, causing significant hardship for residents and motorists who rely on the road for daily movement and economic activities, and prompting repeated appeals from community leaders, traditional rulers, and residents for urgent government intervention.

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The situation eventually drew the attention of the Abia State Government, which initiated discussions with the Federal Government on how to address the situation, and later intervened to facilitate the road's reconstruction by engaging a contractor to complete the project.

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According to Ubani, the priority for residents of Umuahia, Ikwuano, and neighbouring communities was the timely completion of the road, rather than disputes over which tier of government should take credit for the project.

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Ubani emphasized that the important thing was for the road to be completed, so that the suffering of the people who use it daily can come to an end, and that the Umuahia–Ikwuano–Ikot Ekpene Road remained a strategic inter-state route whose rehabilitation would significantly improve economic activities and connectivity between the South-East and South-South regions.