By Okey Maduforo Awka .
All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA has commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for giving the approval on the construction of Otuocha – Anam – Abaji road projects of 180km ,describing this latest development as progressive politics.
The project which had been awarded twice to the same contractor under the regime of late President Umaru Musa Yaradua in 2019 and later rewarded totaling over N39, billion with no evidence of work done to justify the huge sum .
Also approved by Tinubu is the construction of Oba- Nnewi – Uga – Ihube- Okigwe junction which is about 150km which had appeared in successive appropriations since the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo .
The said project which has not been executed is currently being threatened by heavy gully erosion as motorists have literally abandoned the use of that road .
According to the National Publicity Secretary of APGA Mazi Ejimofor Opara in a statement noted that, there are moments in politics when policy ceases to be rhetoric and becomes concrete and asphalt, bridges, and access.
“The joy in Anambra, in Igboland, and indeed across the South East is palpable”
“The reason is simple: Gov. Soludo took to his Social media handles to announce that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved two major federal road projects that will alter the economic geography of the region”
He recalled that in July 1st, Governor Chukwuma Soludo met with the President and the conversation was direct and focused on the infrastructure deficit that has held back the South East for decades.
“The next day, the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi requested the specifics of the roads canvassed by Governor Soludo for construction.”
As part of the discussion, Governor Soludo forwarded two priority corridors for consideration which are the Otuocha – Anal – Abaji road
to be dualized.
Continuing Opara explained that the artery links Anambra to Kogi and opens a direct route to the North Central.
He also stated that the Oba–Nnewi–Uga–Ihube/Okigwe Junction Road of 150km is also for dualization adding that the corridor connects Anambra and Imo to the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, with direct linkages into Abia.
“Twelve days later, on July 15, the Ministry of Works confirmed it: “Mr. President has approved both roads for design and procurement.”
“For too long, the narrative about the South East and the Federal Government has been defined by what is absent. That narrative is changing”
“These are not just state roads. They are regional economic corridors. The Otuocha–Anam–Abaji road integrates the South East with the North Central and the nation’s food basket. The Oba–Nnewi–Uga–Ihube road knits together Anambra, Imo, and Abia, and feeds directly into one of the busiest trade routes in the country — the Enugu -Porthacourt Expressway”
Opara noted that the projects will reduce travel time, lower the cost of goods, improve security through increased movement, and unlock investment across three geopolitical zones.
“The President is reclaiming lost ground in national integration. By prioritizing South East infrastructure, he is signaling that post-Civil War reconstruction is not just a talking point but now a policy agenda”
“For those of us in politics, this is the ultimate validation. Politics must deliver. It must build alliances, negotiate in good faith, and return with results that improve the daily lives of citizens.
“To be clear, this is not the end. There are several other foundational projects underway across the South East that deserve to be named and celebrated in due course. But today, this marks a significant step”
“History will be kind to the new brand of progressive politics binding President Tinubu and Governor Soludo ; not because of speeches, but because of roads built, economies connected, and wounds healed” he said.
The Otuocha – Anam – Abaji road project had been awarded twice to the same Niger Construction Company first at the cost of N5,8 Billion in 2009.
Under Late Umaru Musa Yaradua , 30 km was awarded to Niger Construction Company at N 5,804,811,747,47.04 with 24 months completion and paid for .
On October 2nd 2018, Federal government allocated a follow up sum of N 316,666,666,66 to the contractor for same project .
Between January and May 2019 the Ministry of Works paid N174 ,649,552,84 totaling N3,445,808.05 more than the original sum .
FG rewarded to Niger Construction ltd with a revised design revised cost and allocated N34,263,364,
This violates Section 822( 1) of the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 as indicated by the Corporate Affairs Commission.
