The controversy surrounding the Uturu-Akara Road project continues as Uche Ogah’s aide calls on Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to provide documentary evidence proving his involvement in attracting the project. Kalu’s claims have been publicly disputed, leading to increased tension and calls for transparency.
During a radio program monitored by ALL FACTS NEWSPAPER, Barrister Chijioke Udeogu, an aide to Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, detailed how Ogah persuaded then-President Muhammadu Buhari to approve the road project. He explained how the project was presented to the Executive Council for deliberation and how Ogah defended the project until it was approved.
Udeogu asserted that they felt compelled to set the record straight after viewing a video in which Senator Orji Uzor Kalu claimed to have attracted the road project. “Dr. Ogah has presented evidence that he attracted the project. Let the senator present his own so we can see,” Udeogu demanded.
“The senator stated that this project was not in the appropriation act of 2022, but we are saying this project has been in appropriation since 2020. This means he has no hand in the project,” Udeogu continued.
He also revealed that due to the challenging terrain of the road, Ogah insisted that a foreign construction company handle the project to ensure quality.
Regarding the project timeline, Barrister Chijioke Udeogu disclosed that Dr. Ogah pushed for better funding by ensuring the project was included under sukuk funding. He assured that this funding pattern would expedite the project’s completion.
ALL FACTS NEWSPAPER has also observed that some projects attributed to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu are deteriorating within a year of completion. For example, the Ezeukwu Bridge, commissioned on January 29, 2024, is already in a state of disrepair, as evidenced by the current condition of the bridge and the adjacent roads.
Further details from ALL FACTS NEWSPAPER reveal that Udeogu’s claims about the Uturu-Akara Road project include specific efforts by Ogah to secure funding and ensure the project was managed by a competent construction company. This adds to the credibility of Ogah’s involvement and calls into question Kalu’s assertions.
The photos below illustrate the condition of the Ezeukwu Bridge and the already damaged roads, raising concerns about the quality and longevity of projects attributed to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
