Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has begun efforts to ensure the immediate return of contractors handling the long-abandoned Aba–Owerri Road–NNPC Depot and Achingali–Obizi Umunwanwa Road projects, with the aim of ending the hardship faced by commuters on the collapsed federal roads.
The roads, measuring 16.3 kilometres and 20.7 kilometres respectively, link Abia and Imo States through Isiala Ngwa South and Umuahia South Local Government Areas.
On Tuesday, January 27, Governor Otti met with the management of the construction firms, RoudO Nigeria Limited and Boliv Nigeria Limited, led by the group chairman, Chief Tony Chukwu, to understand why work had stalled for an extended period.
During the meeting, the companies, through their Group Managing Director, Mr. C.N.C. Nwachukwu, identified lack of funding as the major challenge preventing them from returning to site.
Governor Otti, who noted that he had suspected funding issues, assured the contractors that the Abia State Government would engage with the Federal Ministry of Works to resolve the bottlenecks and ensure the projects resume without further delay.
“These are processes that cost money, and it won’t make sense to cancel them,” the governor said. “We will work collectively with the Federal Government to untie the issues and see that the job is completed.”
The two road projects were initially awarded by the Federal Government in 2019, and later redesigned and re-awarded in 2024.
While discussions with the Federal Government are ongoing, Governor Otti stressed the need for urgent intervention on the most problematic section of the road, particularly the Umunwanwa–Ubakala axis, which becomes nearly impassable during the rainy season.
“This is a fantastic time to fix that area before the rains come again,” the governor said, urging the contractors to commence immediate remedial work.
Responding, Mr. Nwachukwu assured that with the necessary financial support, the section could be completed within one to six weeks, including earthworks, drainage construction and asphalt laying.
Governor Otti directed the contractors to work out the details quickly, adding that his intervention would be geared toward ensuring the entire project is completed, not just temporary fixes.
“For us, the most important thing is to save the job and get funding for it,” he said, noting that with the 2025 federal budget still open, resources could be mobilized through proper negotiations.
The governor’s move, observers say, reflects his administration’s policy of non-discrimination between federal and state projects, emphasizing that Abia residents are the ultimate beneficiaries of all public infrastructure.
This approach, the government noted, informed the successful reconstruction of key federal projects such as the Port Harcourt Road in Aba and the Omenuko Bridge.
Abia State Government is also currently intervening on other federal roads, including the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road, Owerrinta–Umuikaa Dualisation, Ohafia–Arochukwu Road, among others.
In a vote of thanks, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D., commended Governor Otti for consistently addressing the needs of Abians and urged the contractors to meet expectations and deliver quality work.
The Commissioner for Works, Engr. Don Otumchere, also participated actively in the meeting.
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