President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that the South-East remains a central pillar of his administration’s national development plan, with priority attention now placed on revamping the region’s major transport corridors to stimulate economic growth and competitiveness.
This was contained in a statement signed by Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, Special Adviser on Media to the Honourable Minister of Works.
The statement reads partly: “Abia State is very important in the economic development of our nation. Presently, we are completing the 56 kilometres dualised Umuahia–Aba road, costing N66 billion.
“The Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene 49 kilometres road has 14 kilometres completed, and by the request of the Governor, the remaining 35 kilometres have been handed over to the state for completion. The Lagos–Calabar coastal highway will pass through this corridor, meaning that when completed, in five hours you will be in Lagos.
“The Ikot Ekpene–Aba road, which is 48 kilometres by two, has seen one full carriageway and a half completed, costing N65 billion. Work has now been directed on the second carriageway. The impossible Port Harcourt–Aba road, 43 kilometres, has one full carriageway completed. From Aba, in 15 minutes, you will be in Port Harcourt, and in 30 minutes you can reach Onne Port.
“I commend the Governor of Abia very highly. I have listened to his developmental plans. I know your Governor before now; he is a sound economist and very experienced personality. I have no doubt that through him, Aba has recovered its lost glory.”
Represented at the commissioning by the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, the President commissioned the Port Harcourt Road and seven other road clusters in Aba, describing them as critical to the region’s economic regeneration.
In his address, Governor Alex Chioma Otti thanked President Tinubu for what he described as “unprecedented support” to the South-East, particularly in rebuilding highways long abandoned by previous administrations.
The Governor said Aba was regaining its historic role as a commercial hub, noting that businesses in the city were now experiencing a surge in patronage from Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
According to him, the reconstruction of the Aba–Port Harcourt Expressway and the Aba–Ikot Ekpene federal highway had restored the city’s competitive edge as a regional economic centre.
Governor Otti added that his administration would continue to complement federal efforts with projects designed to secure the destiny of Abia people, while also praising the appointment of Senator Umahi as Works Minister, calling him “a round peg in a round hole” who has shown passion and commitment in delivering Tinubu’s road revolution agenda.
Roads commissioned by the President included the reconstruction of Port Harcourt Road, Ohanku, Ndoki, Ajiwe, Umuatako, Gabriel Nwosu, Nkoro, and People’s Roads, described as vital arteries for trade and industry in Abia.
