Former two term member of the House of Representatives for Ikwuano/Umuahia Constituency, Abia state, Hon Sam Onuigbo has reminisced the travails of reconstruction of the 49 kilometres Umuahia- Ikot Ekpene federal road.
The contract for its reconstruction was awarded by former president Muhammadu Buhari led federal government in 2019 but lingered without completion untill Friday 24th October, 2025, when its reconstruction was flagged off again by the Abia state governor Dr Alex Otti.
The flagg off was sequel to the re-award of the contract by the Abia state government, following approval by the president Bola Tinubu led federal government for Abia to complete the unreconstructed 25 kilometers of it.
Hon Onuigbo, who expressed elation for the resumed reconstruction of the road, gave kudos to the federal government for the approval, and to Abia state government for accepting to take charge of the 25 kilometers saying that this show of wisdom and kindness by President Tinubu-led APC administration further confirms the assertion that the President has the interest of the South East at heart.
During an interaction with journalists, Hon Onuigbo recalled with great sense of responsibility and nostalgic feelings, the sustained efforts he made some years back to ensure the realization of this strategic road, that connects the West, the North and the East to the South-South states of Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, and even the neighboring Cameroun.
” I wish to note that previous efforts by the Federal Government resulted in the reconstruction of over 24.5 kilometres of the road as at today, which could be seen from the FMC – ORPET, Streams of Joy – Ahieke, Government College/ Mandy Filling Station to ABSU Campus/National Root Crops Research Institute (major drainage work completed), Amawom – Isiala Oboro in Abia State, and Ikot Ekpene – Obot Akara in Akwa-Ibom State near the Army base at Ariam, Ikwuano Local Government Area, as well as, the reclaiming of a large gully erosion at Kilometre 10, Amawom community in Oboro clan.
According to Hon Onuigbo, who now represents the South East at the North East Development Commission Board, this journey to the commencement of rehabilitation work dates back to the motion he personally moved on the floor of the House of Representatives on 26th May 2016, about the failed sections of the road, especially between Ndoro and Okweukwu Communities in Oboro Clan in Ikwuano Local Government Area, which he followed up with first visit to the then Minister of Power, Works and Housing, His Excellency, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, on the 14th of June, 2016.
” This SOS visit elicited instant reply from the then Minister vide a letter to me referenced: DDHMS/CR/62/NPSS/IT/164 dated June 15, 2016.
” One of the resolutions from the meeting was the directive to the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to carry out palliative works on that road, particularly, the Ndoro – Okweukwu axis, and a commitment to award the road in 2017″.
The former national lawmaker ( Onuigbo ) narrated that on December 16, 2016, the former Abia governor , Senator Theodore Orji representing Abia Central Senatorial District, and his humble self, ( Hon Onuigbo) then representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North and Umuahia South Federal Constituency flagged-off the reconstruction work by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) at Okweukwu, Oboro.
He reported that following another letter to the Minister and other pressures and lobbying in his efforts towards the inclusion of the road project in the Appropriation Act, the Federal Government awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the road to Hartland Nigeria Limited and Rayccon & Company Nigeria Limited in 2019.
” Having observed the funding difficulties caused by recession and the impact of Covid-19, I wrote a letter dated September 27, 2021, to the Honourable Minister on the need to transfer the funding of the reconstruction work to special intervention agencies like the SUKUK Bond or the NNPCL Tax Credit Scheme.
” To the glory of God, these efforts bore fruits as the Federal Government via an Executive Order, approved the transfer of the sponsorship of the project to the NNPCL.
” In appreciation, I wrote two separate letters dated October 28, 2021 to then Minister, Babatunde Fashola SAN and the Coordinating Engineer of the ministry, Chukwunweike Ogbonna Uzo, commending their support for the approval of my earlier request”
Continuing, Hon Onuigbo further narrated that knowing the strenuous efforts and persistent pressures he exerted on the authorities to make this new funding initiative a reality, the then Hon.Works Minister in a letter, referenced WR.15136/1/42 and dated November 21, 2021, formally informed him of this pleasant development, notably that the project has been approved for funding by NNPC through the Road Tax Credit Scheme.
Noting that the project has been approved for funding by the NNPC through the Road Tax Credit Scheme, and therefore would expectedly address the funding challenges on the project and ensure timely completion, he said the Minister urged him to address his constituents to remove all structures and crops within the Right of Way (RoW) , to enable the contractor have unimpeded access to execute the reconstruction of the road.”
” Again, through concerted efforts and visits by stakeholders to the appropriate quarters, precisely on February 03, 2025, the Federal Executive Council approved an augmentation of over N14.37 billion on the road, and in appreciation of this, Abia stakeholders met on February 24, 2025 and expressed their gratitude to President Tinubu”.
According to Onuigbo, who was former Abia State Finance Commissioner, the above narrative is necessary to show how elated he was to learn of the new resolution adopted by President Tinubu to guarantee the early completion of the road ongoing reconstruction work by Abia state government.
He stated that this pleasant development aligns perfectly with President Tinubu’s inaugural speech, where he declared, “We shall continue the efforts of the Buhari administration on infrastructure, and that progress toward national network of roads, rail and ports shall get priority attention”.
While he held that by keeping faith with this declaration, President Tinubu demonstrated that government is a continuum by ensuring that the current Honourable Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi prioritized the completion of the road.
” This indeed, further proves that the APC-led Federal Government is ever ready to embrace any idea that will alleviate the sufferings of the masses, especially when supported by relevant stakeholders.
” As a stakeholder, it is on the basis of this that I wish to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for his kind gesture in approving the handover of the project to the Abia State Government for completion.
” This act reaffirms his commitment to fairness, inclusion, and partnership across the South-East. Let us at this juncture also appreciate the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti OFR for seeing the need to cooperate with the Federal Government to deliver on this strategic road project.
” My appreciation also goes to His Excellency, Senator, Engr. David Umahi, Honourable Minister of Works, for his continuous supervision and technical guidance in ensuring steady progress.
” Having said that, I call on the people of Abia State and the entire South East Zone to fully support the Renewed Hope administration of President Tinubu, which has shown unprecedented and genuine love for Ndigbo.
” In the same vein, I urge the leaders and residents of the communities along the project corridor to sustain their cooperation and support for the contractors to ensure the timely and seamless execution of this important project” .
While he tasked the newly engaged contractor to endeavour to expedite action on the critical components of the work, including drainage systems, erosion control measures, and other ancillary works contained in the previous contract, so as to deliver in good time, Hon Onuigbo described the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene road as a sustainable road that meets the needs and expectations of not only his our people.
He therefore urged his people of Ikwuano, to see this development as their shared victory, a proof that when there is persistence, and the government listens, partnership works.
Reminding himself of what he described as a timeless truth which holds that “when conviction meets opportunity, growth occurs, he remarked ” this same road which was once described as a ‘death trap’ , now stands as a testament to resilience, and to a government that truly cares.
” If commitment births progress, what greater reward can there be than witnessing our people travel smoothly on the very road one fought for in faith and service”, he concluded.
REPORT BY GORDI UDEAJAH
