Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has challenged the Federal Ministry of Works’ assertion that the Umuahia–Ikwuano–Ikot Ekpene Road project is still under execution and funding by the Federal Government.
Ubani’s reaction followed a statement credited to the Federal Controller of Works in Abia State, Mr. Chidi Uwaeziozi, who reportedly stated that the road project remained under the supervision and funding of the Federal Government.
In a statement, Ubani said the timing of the claim had raised concerns, particularly as a competent contractor engaged through the Abia State Government had already mobilised to site and commenced work aimed at completing the long-delayed project.
According to him, the intervention by the Abia State Government became necessary following years of delays and what he described as uncoordinated construction on the road.
Ubani recalled that the contract for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the strategic highway was awarded in 2019 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The road, he noted, serves as a major economic corridor linking Abia State with Akwa Ibom State and providing access to Cross River State and other parts of the South-South region.
He said that despite the importance of the road to commerce and transportation, the project had experienced prolonged delays, leaving several sections in poor condition.
Ubani stated that apart from limited construction activity around the Ndioru axis, particularly between Ndioru Market and Okwe, much of the road linking Umuahia through Ikwuano to Ikot Ekpene had remained in a deplorable state.
He noted that the prolonged delay in completing the project had caused significant hardship for residents and motorists who rely on the road for daily movement and economic activities.
According to him, the situation prompted repeated appeals from community leaders, traditional rulers and residents who called for urgent government intervention.
Ubani said the sustained agitation by the people of the area eventually attracted the attention of the Abia State Government, which initiated discussions with the Federal Government on how to address the situation.
He explained that the state government later stepped in to facilitate the reconstruction of the road by engaging a contractor to complete the project.
Ubani maintained that the priority for residents of Umuahia, Ikwuano and neighbouring communities was the timely completion of the road rather than disputes over which tier of government should take credit for the project.
“The important thing is that the road should be completed so that the suffering of the people who use it daily can come to an end,” he said.
He added that the Umuahia–Ikwuano–Ikot Ekpene Road remained a strategic inter-state route whose rehabilitation would significantly improve economic activities and connectivity between the South-East and South-South regions.
