NEWS LEVERAGE

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has assured Abians and especially the people of Aba that all ongoing road projects including the repair of Faulks road will be tidied up within this dry season window.

Governor Ikpeazu gave the assurance during a Press Briefing at the Governor’s Lodge, Aba. He disclosed that so far, a good number of roads have already been done in Aba and assured that the rebuilding of infrastructure in the town is a work in progress that will continue throughout the life of his administration.

He blamed the failure of some portions of Faulks Road to the fact that based on the appeal by some key interest groups in Aba for the opening of the road before the completion of the road and against the advice of the contractor, which exposed the uncompleted road to the harsh effects of heavy-duty vehicles conveying tiles, cement and other commodities.

He however made it clear that all was set for the repair of the bad portions of the road, stating that the very bad portions will be tackled using the Rigid Pavement Technology.
The Governor said that a decent portion of the road is still standing and reminded Abians that it was his administration that made it possible for Faulks Road to be used seamlessly for the first time, end to end, in about 30 years and assures that the road will be fully recovered within this dry season window.

According to him, the interest of his government in Faulks Road is hinged on its strategic relevance to the economy of the State and described insinuations that over 6 Billion Naira was paid to the contractor as mischievous, as no such amount has been spent on the road. He restated the road was not completed and handed over to the government by the contractor and as such, it was impossible for such amount to have been paid.

Governor Ikpeazu disclosed that he has been doing roads in Aba in strategic clusters to enhance the economy of the State, informing that such roads as Ehere, Ukaegbu & Umuola, Owerrinta, Ochefu & Weeks as well as the Osusu and ongoing Omuma and Faulks roads will all be completed within the windows of the dry season.

On Port Harcourt Road, the Governor noted it is designed to have six lanes, assuring that two lanes will be delivered in the interim, within this dry season window, while the remaining four will be completed in due course, while end to end drainage on Port Harcourt Road has been completed from Asannentu on the Express Junction to No. 1 Port Harcourt Road.

He said the cluster of roads in Obohia, Ohanku, Ozuomba and Ngwa Roads and their environs will also be done.

The Governor assured that the contractor handling both the flyover and the Teaching Hospital Road will return to site shortly, stating that the Teaching Hospital Road will be pushed up to Junction where soldiers are stationed, in the interim, before the diversion to the express way.
The Governor gave a firm assurance that the Osisioma flyover will be completed within this same dry season window, while we wait for the contractor handling the Federal road to complete that segment to enable us align our work and tidy up the interchange.

While responding to questions from newsmen, the Governor made it clear that roads like Azikiwe Road will be fixed and added that the ongoing construction of the Eziukwu Cemetery Road remains on course.

According to the Governor, the persistent rains this year have delayed the commencement of work on most of these roads, told the people of Aba that they will witness a very significant change in condition of Aba roads by the time this dry season window wraps up.

The Governor urged the people of Aba and Abia State to remain confident in the economic fortunes of the State, noting that an international financial institution like the Afrexim Bank would not be investing 50 Million Dollars in the Geometric Power Project if they were not confident in the power of our economy.

In a vote of thanks, the Honorable Commissioner for Works, Barrister Bob Chiedozie Ogu added that the ongoing rehabilitation of Aba Owerri Road will continue until the work is completed and asked the people to bear with the government.
He thanked the Governor for creating the platform to inform the public about the plans on roads in Aba.
Deputy Governor Sir Ude Oko Chukwu and the Honorable Commissioner for Documentation and Strategic Communications, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue and the State Chairman of the PDP, Rt Hon Asiforo Okere were present at the briefing.

Journalists from leading print and electronic media in the country took part in the Press Briefing.

Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.
24th November, 2021.