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Abia State Governor Alex Otti says he has begun rebuilding the long-abandoned 25-kilometre Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road after the federal government under Bola Tinubu failed to address years of hardship faced by commuters.
Otti said the project had to be taken over by the state despite being a federal road, accusing the federal government of allowing critical infrastructure to collapse under its watch.
According to him, “Although this is a federal highway, we proactively secured the necessary approvals to take it on, driven by our belief that infrastructure serving our people should never be hindered by jurisdictional boundaries.”
The road being constructed by Otti
He noted that the road had posed severe challenges to motorists and residents for decades, leaving communities cut off and businesses struggling.
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He added, “With this reconstruction now underway, we are turning the page on years of neglect.”
Construction company GELD Construction Ltd has been contracted to deliver the project within 18 months, and it will include solar-powered street lighting and modern road features.
Otti also launched the construction of the 13.5-kilometre Ariam Usaka Ring Road in Ikwuano, which he described as an economic lifeline for farming communities.
He said the project was central to connecting agricultural zones and stimulating local economies, forming part of broader infrastructure plans across Oboro, Ibere, Oloko, Ariam, and neighbouring areas.
He said the Ariam Usaka road is expected to be completed within 12 months and will also be handled by GELD Construction Ltd.
Otti thanked Bola Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Works for granting approvals but made it clear that his administration would not wait forever for Abuja to act.
Overview of the road
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The governor urged citizens to “stay vigilant, reject misinformation, and keep supporting our vision for sustainable progress.”
His comments have sparked public reactions, with many residents accusing the federal government of abandoning regions outside its political interests.
Critics say Tinubu’s administration continues to overlook vital infrastructure while focusing on political consolidation.
Otti’s intervention is being seen by analysts as a challenge to federal lethargy on road development despite widespread taxation and revenue collection.
Residents along the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene axis say they hope the reconstruction marks the end of federal abandonment and economic isolation.
