Umuahia capital development: gov. Otti commissions Dozie way as residents celebrate

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

The Ndume Otuka community in Ibeku, Umuahia North local government area of Abia state, south East Nigeria went agog on Tuesday as governor Alex Otti commissioned the 1.3km Dozie way.

The road which provides access to an alternative route to Ahiaeke and Umuafai had been in a bad state for many years .

Business activities already commenced within the area since it was opened for use.

During the commissioning, governor Alex Otti announced that it cost the government the sum of N750m with direct labour to reconstruct the road.

Governor Otti said “the direct labour approach saved the State government significant cost compared to the N2.2 billion quoted by external contractors for the road.”

Governor Otti, who described the road as a symbol of his administration’s commitment to transforming Umuahia into a modern urban hub, added that the road serves to decongest traffic on the Ikot Ekpene Road as well as be useful in supporting economic activities in several communities and markets within Lodu, Ahiaeke, and Umuana, all in Ndume Ibeku.”

“This road will not just boost economic progress beyond the immediate precents, but will also lead to new investments in real estate, agriculture hospitality and retail trading around the place including far and beyond.

“This project ultimately will improve the value of property holdings around here”, the Governor said.”

Government plans to embark on expansive road development projects over the next 12 months, including ongoing works along IBB Way and the Ahiaeke-Lodu corridor.

“As you may be aware, preliminary stages of extensive Civil Engineering works are already ongoing along the IBB Way and on the stretch of road leading to Ahiaeke and Lodu”.”My promise to you is that there would be multiple reconstruction activity along this corridor over the entire length of the present dry season window”, the Governor said

In his speech, the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Mr. Austin Okezie described the project as evidence of the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of citizens and urged residents to support the government’s rebuilding agenda.

He urged them fulfill their civic duties, including paying their taxes.

Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Don Otumchere Oti noted that Dozie way was initially intended as a strategic bypass to ease traffic congestion from Ikot Ekpene Road to the Timber Market. He however said that years of neglect by previous administrations left the road in a deplorable state which necessitated the comprehensive rehabilitation of the road.

He said that the road would enhance social and economic activities in the area and urged residents to desist from any act that would jeopardise the efforts of government in the reconstruction of roads.

Also, the Mayor of Umuahia North Local Government Area, Chief Smart Iheoma expressed gratitude to the Governor for alleviating the suffering of residents through the road rehabilitation and appealed for similar interventions in other parts of the Local Government.

Mr. Foster Orji an indigene of the Ndume community believes that life would fully return to the road as he harps on economic gains associated with it