The Ministry of Works has provided clarifications regarding the dispute related to the construction of the Umuahia-Ikwuano and Ikot-Ekpene Highway.
The administration of Governor Alex Otti has recently included the Umuahia–Ikwuano–Ikot Ekpene federal road among the projects newly initiated by the state government.
However, Chidi Uwaeziozi, the Controller of Works in the Federal Ministry of Works for Abia State, contradicted this statement during a conversation with reporters, asserting that the Tinubu administration remains fully responsible for the project.
Uwaeziozi clarified the status of the trunk ‘A’ federal road, informing reporters that the project is still being carried out by the Federal Government, contrary to the claims made by the Abia State Government regarding its takeover.
He elaborated that last year, the Federal Government restructured the contract by dividing it into two phases to expedite its completion.
He stated that Phase One, which is still under the Federal Government’s jurisdiction, is being managed by Hartland Construction Company and is currently nearing completion, emphasizing that the original contractor remains on site because Phase One, overseen by the Federal Government, has approximately 1.5 kilometers left to finish.
While asserting that the contractor is legally bound to complete the remaining section before vacating the site, the Controller of Works criticized the Abia State Government’s claims for including the Umuahia–Ikwuano–Ikot Ekpene federal road among the projects newly initiated by the Governor Alex Otti administration.
He pointed out that records indicate that the rehabilitation of this vital interstate road, which connects Umuahia in Abia State to Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State and predates the current administration, was facilitated through federal legislative intervention as early as 2016.
He mentioned that the project was initially attracted through the efforts of a former lawmaker who represented the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
It has been noted that Hartland Construction Company Limited managed the project under the oversight of the Federal Ministry of Works, with around 25 kilometres of the road already rehabilitated prior to the Abia State government’s declaration of the takeover.
Following the Otti administration’s commencement of work on the road as part of state government initiatives, former lawmaker Sam Onuigbo voiced his discontent regarding the announcement.
He contended that presenting the road as a new initiative diminishes the significance of years of advocacy and legislative efforts that secured federal interest and funding for the project.
Onuigbo said that it is deceitful for any individual or group to politicize developmental projects, emphasizing that the initiative represents a significant contribution from the Tinubu administration.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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