Governor Alex Otti of Abia State formally inaugurated the 30-kilometer Arochukwu-Ndiokereke-Okobo-Ozuabam Road for repair on Wednesday.
In a speech at the event held at Amuvi, Arochukwu Local Government Area, Otti said that the project showed the government’s commitment to improving the living conditions of the citizens.
He said that the state government was deliberate about fixing the economically viable roads in the various rural communities and urban centers of the state.
He added that the government had decided to eliminate any barriers that could restrict the ability of individuals and businesses to operate at their fullest potential in the state.
“As a government that promised to bring relief to the people after many years of hardships, we knew that road construction, repair, and maintenance must be made top priorities long before we took our oath of office.
“Starting with some of the most important roads in Aba and Umuahia, we are now expanding the scope to include roads that link our agricultural zones to the urban areas.
“This is to increase the state’s agricultural output and expand our economic routes to create jobs for thousands of our young people while controlling rural-urban migration,” the governor said.
He further said that over 30 road projects were currently being carried out in the state.
According to him, this proves the government’s commitment to expand the opportunities for economic and social development in the state.
Otti said that the government had carefully selected civil engineering firms with excellent track records in project execution.
“Our most important consideration is to get equivalent value for every penny of taxpayers’ money spent,” he said.
He noted that it was expected that the project would be completed in about 12 months and revive the agricultural and related business ecosystem within several communities in Arochukwu and Ohafia LGAs.
He further said that the road would create an expanded economic opportunity for people interested in taking advantage of the investment opportunities that abound in the “New Abia.
The Commissioner for Works, Mr Otumchere Oti, said that the project would put an end to the saying, “there is no short route to Aro”.
Oti described the project as an opportunity for the government to transform and revitalize the economy of the area.
He said that the design specifications of the project indicated that “the road would be built to have a carriageway width of 7.3 meters with 1.5 meters wide asphaltic concrete shoulders”.
The commissioner said, “The pavement consists of 200 millimeters thick approved soft base material, 200 millimeter thick stone base, 60-millimeter thick asphaltic concrete binder course and 40-millimeter thick asphaltic concrete wearing course.”
He also said that culverts and drains would be provided at critical locations and streetlights in built-up areas.
In separate speeches, the Chairman of Abia Traditional Ruler Council, Eze Linus Mba, and the Traditional Ruler of Arochukwu Kingdom, Eze Eberechukwu Oji, described the project as a welcome development.
They mentioned that the bad condition of the road had caused a lot of suffering for the people and expressed hope that it would be completed quickly.
Also, the Majority Leader of the Abia House of Assembly, Mr Uchenna Okoro-Kalu, and the Transition Committee Chairman of Arochukwu LGA, Chief Joe Ezearo, expressed happiness about the start of the project.
They stated that the road would have a positive effect on the people's lives and increase their trust in the current government.
Earlier, Mr Musa Moussa, the Chairman of Geld Construction Limited, expressed gratitude to the government for believing in the company.
Moussa also mentioned: “We are grateful to the host community for their warm welcome and we promise to complete a very high-quality job before the scheduled time.”
(NAN)
