Why I’m Passionate About Otuocha-Anam-Kogi Road – Nwoye
By Nedum Noble
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Member representing Anambra East and West in the House of Representatives, Dr. Tony Nwoye, has assured the people of his constituency that the ongoing work on the Otuocha-Anam- Kogi federal road linking the State with Kogi would not cease until it is completed.
Nwoye gave the assurance during the inspection of the project with officials of the Federal Ministry of Works and community leaders in the area.
He said he decided to make the road a priority constituency project because the people of the area were suffering so much as they often found it difficult to transport their produce to the cities at the end of every farming season due to bad roads.
The project, which is being handled by Nigercat Nigeria Limited, was abandoned in 2009 after it was flagged off. Unconfirmed report said a whooping N2.5 billion was spent on the road with nothing to show for it before it was abandoned.
However, following the efforts of the who facilitated the release of funds to the contractor by the executive arm of government, work has resumed in earnest.
The lawmaker disclosed that the National Assembly had approved N 1.8 billion to be spent on the road this fiscal year, with
When completed, it is expected that journey from Anambra State to Abuja would be reduced to about three hours, instead of about seven hours which it presently takes from Anambra through Enugu to Benue and then Kogi to Abuja.
His words, “This is not a political matter. It is something that is very dear to me because I remember the support the people of Anambra West gave me when I contested election.
“I have been meeting stakeholders to find a solution to the road as I am determined to ensure its completion and I am very happy that the contractors have moved to site.
“The people of this local government are the most marginalized in the state and I believe that opening up this road will help to boost the economy of the people of the area.
“N800 million was approved in the 2017 budget and N1 billion in the 2018 budget for the road and by God’s grace, more money will be injected into the project once the N1.8 billion is exhausted.
“The assurance we have got is that funds will continue to be released on regular basis until the work is completed. Part of the reason I am determined to see this project through is that the people gave me maximum support even when one of their sons contested election with me.
“Once this road is completed, this area will open up to commercial activities. I commend the Minister of Works, the permanent secretary and the chairman of the works committee in the House of Representatives, Honourable Toby Okechukwu and the speaker of House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara for their support and efforts to see that the project is completed in a record time.
It was gathered at the project site that additional N3 billion would be needed to complete the road.
