OWERRI, IMO STATE — The candidate of the Action Peoples Party (APP) for the Imo West (Orlu) Senatorial Zone, Hon. Rufus Omeire (Ikemba Ideato), has expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for approving the award of the critical Oba–Nnewi–Uga–Akokwa–Arondizuogu–Okigwe Federal Road.
In a press statement issued on Saturday, Hon. Omeire joined the Member representing Ideato Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere (Oje Ozi), to commend the federal government’s intervention on a vital economic artery that has suffered severe neglect for decades. He extended further gratitude to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, and the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for their combined roles in pushing the project to fruition.
From a Neglected Death Trap to Renewed Hope
Hon. Omeire, a former federal lawmaker who represented Ideato Federal Constituency between 2007 and 2011, recalled how his era tirelessly fought for the road’s inclusion in the federal budget. Though it was previously awarded to Bulletine Construction Company, the firm mobilized to the site and subsequently abandoned it, turning the road into an economic and security nightmare.
OBA–NNEWI–UGA–AKOKWA–ARONDIZUOGU–OKIGWE ROAD PROFILE
┌───────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ PROJECT SCOPE │ • Inter-state Federal Highway rehabilitation. │
├───────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ PRIMARY BENEFICIARY│ • South-East region, Orlu Zone & Ideato Constituency. │
├───────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ HISTORICAL CONTEXT│ • Budgeted 2007–2011; abandoned by Bulletine Const. │
├───────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ CURRENT THREATS │ • Severe gully erosion, armed robbery hotspots. │
└───────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Over the years, the deterioration of the corridor transformed it into a notorious haven for armed robbery and criminal elements, crippling local commerce, farming, and transportation.
Hon. Omeire praised Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere for keeping the issue alive through persistent legislative advocacy in the House of Representatives, which ultimately caught the attention of the National Assembly and the Presidency. He noted that the completion of the road would bring massive relief, boost the evacuation of agricultural produce, and stimulate inter-state commerce across the South-East.
The Call for an Emergency on Gully Erosion
While celebrating the infrastructure milestone, the APP senatorial candidate made a passionate appeal to President Tinubu to decisively tackle the region’s existential environmental crisis. Omeire urged the President to immediately declare a State of Emergency on Gully Erosion in the South-East, with particular emphasis on Orlu Senatorial Zone and Ideato Federal Constituency.
The devastating ecological disaster has continued to swallow homes, wash away active farmlands, and completely sever newly constructed public infrastructure, threatening the very survival of rural communities.
“The devastating erosion ravaging our communities continues to destroy roads, homes, farmlands, and public infrastructure, posing a serious threat to lives, livelihoods, and sustainable development. Urgent federal intervention is necessary to address this environmental disaster,” Omeire stated.
The APP candidate concluded by appealing directly to the Presidency to back the road contract with strict funding oversight so that the project is executed to completion, ensuring the people finally enjoy the long-awaited dividends of democracy.
