Businessmen in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia state, have expressed gratitude to Gov. Theodore Orji for rehabilitating major roads in the city.
They stated the governor has kept his word to give a facelift to the poor state of roads in the Aba.
A visit to roads in the city such as Brass street, Geometric Access road Azikiwe, Milverton Avenue, and others in Ogbor Hill axis like Umuoba, Obikabia to Obingwa LGA headquarters, Aba “ Ikot Ekpene roads have all been rehabilitated while works on Ehere, and Umuola roads have reached 90% completion.
A cross section of people who own shops at some area which hitherto had bad road said the development have brought life back to businesses which suffered as a result of bad roads that cut off their areas and thanked the governor for coming to the rescue of the city which was hit by a network of bad roads.
According to a tricycle operator who plies the Aba Main Park to Faulks road route, who gave his name as Ike, “the rehabilitation of Milverton Avenue gave us a lot of relief because you had to go through Aba Owerri road to Asa road or through Azikiwe road to Asa road before connecting Milverton Avenue which serves as the loading bay of luxury bus operators in Aba, it was like doing a double journey before getting to your destination due to the bad state of the Milverton Avenue. I commend Ochendo for rehabilitating the road. We are witnessing a boom in conveying those who come to Ariaria market to buy from other parts of the country like Lagos and the North. It is now easier for us to get to Milverton Avenue and drop at the luxury bus parks.”
Ike further lauded the governor for rehabilitating the bad spot at the Eziukwu road which he said turned to a river and a sour point to motorists.
Operators of restaurants and other businesses at the Milverton Avenue, Aba also admitted that the rehabilitation of the road has boosted his business. One of them, Mrs Nneamaka James said, “The rehabilitation of Milverton Avenue brought back life to my business. Because of the three bad spots which were on this road, my customers were no longer coming because their vehicles would get stuck in the mud. We suffered during the period. I thank the Gov. Orji for rehabilitating the road,” she said
Taking a stock of the situation in various parts of the commercial city, it could be said that Gov.Orji has embarked on a revolution to change the face of the city. True to his words, a drive around town would reveal that areas like New Umuahia,Umuola, Obikabia to Obingwa council secretariat at Mgboko, Azikiwe, Brass, Umuoba, Eziukwu, Geometric access, Danfodio, Constitution Crescent, Milverton Avenue, among others which were hitherto impassable, are now wearing a new look. Works are ongoing at other roads like Ehere, Ekeakpara –NNPC road at Osisioma, amonst others.
Said a veteran politician who preferred anonymity, “The governor has really impressed me with the pace he is tackling the roads in Aba. I pray. I am calling on Abians to support his government by paying their taxes and performing other civic obligations. I’m also calling on him to take a look at the Aba — Ikot Ekpene road which has become impassable. We are aware that it is a federal road but we are calling on him as a listening governor to come and rescue us. If the road is done, it will help to open up the Ehere Modern Market, it will enable these street traders at Opbo junction to relocate to the market. ”
On the ongoing rehabilitation of Ehere road and opening of drainages in the area, a resident of the community, Mr. Dike Okezie commended the efforts of the state government stressing that efforts should be made to sustain the ongoing rehabilitation and opening up of more access roads like Ukaegbu, and Emelogu roads to reduce pressure on the Aba —- Ikot Ekpene road as well as the Aba Waterside bridge which as continued to witness auto accidents due to heavy traffic.
“ Ehere people are grateful to Ochendo for the road. We know he will do more to open up these access roads because it is the only way these rehabilitated roads will last longer,” he stated.
