Hon. Obi Aguocha Urges FG To Investigate Abandoned Umuahia–Ikwuano–Ikot Ekpene Expressway

The Honorable member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/ South LG of Abia state, Hon Obi Aguocha has urged the Federal government to investigate the abandoned rehabilitation of Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene road.

Making a case on the floor of the Green Chamber today, the lawmaker noted that Umuahia -Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene road is a major highway linking the South-East to the South-South states of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and down to Cameroon.

He said “Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene road axis poor road network has halted Socio- economic activities in the Southeast geo-political zone.

“ The economic significance of the roads to the abutting states of the Southeast, South-South, Western and Northern States of the Federation for the movement of essential goods and services makes it very important.

“The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in 2019 awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene road to Messrs. Hartland Company Ltd, howbeit, no meaningful milestones have been achieved.

“It is worrisome that effort by patriotic stakeholders in Ikwuano LGA to ascertain the real cause of the delay has proved abortive as both the Federal Ministry of Works and the Nigerian national Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) (funding agency) have not been forthcoming.

“I am convinced that the rehabilitation of the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene Expressway will bring relief to millions of commuters and propel the economic development of the country.

Consequently, the House resolved to:

(i) mandate the Committee on Works to investigate and determine cause of abandonment of the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene Expressway and unattended to for almost the lifespan of the contract, provide a permanent and sustainable solution and report back within 2 weeks for further legislative action; and

(ii) also mandate the Committee on Works and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.