Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has clarified why roads he facilitated in Abia North are deteriorating quickly. He attributes the poor state of the roads to the significantly lower funding allocated to constituency projects compared to federal and state roads. Read the full story for details.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North Senatorial District, has reacted to criticisms regarding the poor state of roads he attracted to his constituency, clarifying that the funding constraints of constituency projects make them less durable compared to federal and state-funded roads.
Addressing his constituents, Kalu cautioned against unrealistic comparisons, noting that many people do not understand the classifications and budget allocations for roads in Nigeria. He explained that roads in the country are categorized into grades A, B, C, D, and E, with federal roads (Grade A) and some state roads (Grade B) receiving significantly higher funding. According to him, federal road projects cost between N3 billion and N6 billion per kilometer, while constituency roads are executed with far lower budgets, ranging between N200 million and N250 million per kilometer.
Kalu emphasized that while he has facilitated numerous road projects to improve infrastructure in Abia North, the financial limitations attached to constituency roads mean they cannot match the longevity or quality of major federal highways. He urged constituents to consider these disparities when assessing the condition of roads in the region.
The senator, who has been instrumental in attracting several road projects to his senatorial district, stressed that road durability is directly linked to funding. He added that constituency roads are usually built under strict budgetary constraints, making them more susceptible to wear and tear compared to heavily funded federal projects.
Kalu’s clarification comes amid increasing concerns from residents of Abia North over the rapid deterioration of roads constructed under his influence. Some constituents have questioned the quality of the projects, blaming him for the current state of the roads. However, the former governor of Abia State maintains that expecting constituency roads to last as long as federal highways is unrealistic given the significant differences in budget allocation.
With mounting public scrutiny over the issue, Kalu reaffirmed his commitment to lobbying for more infrastructural development in Abia North. He urged constituents to direct their concerns towards securing increased federal allocations for better road projects rather than holding constituency roads to the same standard as heavily funded federal and state roads. WATCH VIDEO:
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