Abia to build 9 roads
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Abia State government says it would soon commence construction or reconstruction of nine roads across the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, while disclosing this while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti, added that the state would start paying the N70, 000 minimum wage this month.
The Commissioner emphasisied that the proposed road projects were in continuation of the state government’s agenda in road infrastructure development, explaining that the procured nine projects were spread across the three senatorial zones.
He listed the roads projects to include construction and expansion of the 5.5 kilometres Onuimo – Umuahia Express Tower road, construction of the 6.8 Kilometres Onuinyang-Okporoenyi-Oboro Ikwuano road, section 2, in Ikwuano, construction of the 6.9 kilometre Umuopara ring road in Umuahia South, and Construction of the 11.5 Ntigha-Mbawsi-Umuola road in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, construction of the 6.9 kilometre Umuopara ring road in Umuahia South, all in Abia Central Senatorial Zone.
Others are construction of the 7.15 Kilometres Onuinyang-Okporoenyi-Oboro Ikwuano road, section 1, in Bende Road, construction of the 11.27 kilometres Mbala-Umuaku-Ngodo road in Isuochi, Umunneochi LGA, both in Abia North; as well as reconstruction of the 11 kilometers Obehe – Umudiabia – Owaza road in UkwaWest LGA, (Abia South) and construction of the 12.6 kilometre Ohanze-Ntighauzo-Obete-Akirikaobu in parts of Obingwa and Ukwa East in Aba South. He said the projects would soon take off.
The Commissioner also announced that the number of township roads that have been maintained in line with the zero-pothole initiative of the state government has increased to 127, up from 125, with the completion of Afara-IsiCourt road and Ekarike street, both in Umuahia, adding that the dualisation of Umuikaa-Owerrinta road has commenced.
The information Commissioner equally revealed that in recognition of the giant strides made so far by Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) in keeping the major Abia cities of Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia clean, UN Habitat has invited agency and the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) to a conference holding in Egypt, to tell the Abia success story about waste disposal and management.
“To give further vent to the appreciable achievements recorded by ASEPA, UN-Habitat has invited Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) and ASEPA to a conference in Egypt. They want them to come and tell the Abia story of success in waste disposal in Aba and Umuahia.
“Government is happy that people outside the country are appreciative of what the Governor Alex Otti is doing in the state.” Prince Kanu said.
He noted that in line with the state of emergency declared on refuse disposal by Governor Alex Otti on assumption of Office, ASEPA has been doing a great job of keeping Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia clean . “The Lokpanta Cattle Market and abbatior are currently under the focus of ASEPA as their state of general cleanliness has improved. Uzuakoli and Arochukwu cattle markets are currently being cleaned up by ASEPA under its ‘Clean Up Abia Initiative’ programme,” the Commissioner said.
Contributing, the General Manager, ASEPA, Mazi Ogbonnia Okereke, said the state government has performed well in the last 17 months in waste management and general environmental cleanliness across the State.
“Aba has been identified today as a model of the movement from a dirty to a clean city. We have been asked to come and tell our story first hand at a United Nations’ forum. You can imagine the kind of perception and reputational capital that will accrue to Abia State from our participation in this conference,” Mazi Okereke said.
