‘Abia Dry Port will be my best gift to Abians,’ says Ikpeazu

[From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia]

Abia Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has said that realizing the Dry Port project at Ntigha in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area (LGA) would be the best gift he would bequeath to Abians.

Ikpeazu made this known during the commissioning of the first phase of the reconstructed Amaoji Junction-Abayi- Isi Court road in Isiala Ngwa North LGA and flagging off of the construction of the second and final phase of the road.

Locales said the road has been left in a very deplorable state in the past 25 years.

Speaking at the event which is in continuation of his ‘Kinetic Abia‘ Project Inspection and Commissioning Programme, Ikpeazu assured that he would deploy every resource to ensure that the second phase of the road would be delivered and commissioned soon.

The Governor charged the benefiting communities to look after the road as it would be a disservice for the people to burn tyres or erect illegal speed breakers on the road.

Ikpeazu, responding to requests by stakeholders for the actualization of the Ntigha Dry Port, promised to complete the project.

“There could be no better gift to Abia people than a dry port of final destination where people would clear their goods in the State,” he said, stressing that the dry port, when realized, would serve Ndịgbo and Nigerians at large.

The Governor urged the people to disregard insinuations about abandoning the dry port and other projects but assured that he would continue to serve and deliver democracy dividends to the people.

Speaking also, the Member representing Arochukwu /Ohafia Federal Constituency, Hon. Uko Nkole, commended the Governor for constructing the road, as rural roads add value to the economy of the people, in addition to reducing rural-urban migration.

Also, a member of the House of Assembly representing Isiala Ngwa North State Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Works and Projects Monitoring, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, thanked the Governor for the initiative to rebuild the road. The lawmaker commended the Governor for his developmental strides, especially rebuilding infrastructure across the state and Aba in particular.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Works, Elder Bob Ogu, disclosed that the Governor has developed a template for starting and completing road projects in the state.

Ogu said the roads built in the State have, at least, 20 years life span and enjoined the benefiting communities to protect the road and ensure that people do not set bonfires on it because such acts degrade the asphalt.

Also, the PDP State Chairman, Rt. Hon. Asiforo Okere, thanked Isiala Ngwa North people for the support given to PDP and urged them to enroll in the ongoing voters registration exercise, while thanking the Governor for consistently making the party proud.

 Chairman of the State Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Chief Ceekay Igara, noted that Ikpeazu has improved the economic life of people of the area, adding that the road would help check migration to urban cities.

Igara added that if the Governor does the same in all parts of the State, Abia would develop faster.

Earlier, Executive Chairman, Isialangwa North, Mr. Chinwendu Ochulor, had thanked the Governor for all he has been doing in Isiala Ngwa North, especially opening up of rural roads, including the Umuogele Umuakwu Erosion remediation project, the Umuakwu – Azuiyi – Mbubo Road, the Umuene Omoba – Obikabia Road, the Mbawsi Ikputu Road, the Eziama Ntigha – Nsirimo Road and the Amapu Ntigha – Abam  Road, some of which have either been completed or were ongoing.

Ochulor also appealed to him to fix the Okpuala Ngwá-Mbawsi Road and expedite action on the commencement of the Ntigha Dry Port project.

 Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Joy Nwanju, described the road project as an intervention initiated in 2019 and expressed happiness that its first phase has been commissioned by the Governor, who initiated it; adding that the road was one of the three joint intervention projects done with Local Governments in the State.

Speaking on behalf of Isiala Ngwa North Stakeholders, a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Christopher Enweremadu, said the road has been a nightmare and remained inaccessible for the past 25 years. They said the people of Isiala Ngwa were grateful to the Governor for reconstructing the road, as well as for other numerous projects which have created multiple chains of employment for the people.

They also requested fast-tracking of the construction of the proposed Dry Port project , saying it will open up Abia’s economy and increase her revenue base, among other benefits.

Speaking on behalf of the youth of Ngwa Ukwu La Nwaoha, Mr. Chima Nwosu, commended Ikpeazu for remembering the people by fixing their roads and assured him of the continued support of the people.

Secretary to Government, Barrister Chris Ezem, Chairman of Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM, Eze Joseph Nwabeke, and a Commissioner in the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, Chief Uzo Ihuka, were among dignitaries who witnessed the event.