NEW ROAD CONSTRUCTIONS IN ABIA: BRINGING HOPE TO NEGLECTED COMMUNITIES
By Emeka Nwosu, PhD.
History was made on Monday in Abia State when the governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, flagged off the reconstruction of the strategic Ntigha-Mbawsi-Umuala road located within the heart of Isiala Ngwa. This very vital road which connects many farming communities was abandoned for several years and left to degenerate by successive administrations that preceded Otti.
Particularly noteworthy is the fact that the immediate past governor of the State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, hails from within this geo-political axis. His village, Umuobiakwa in Obingwa LGA is within a close distance. It baffles imagination that that he was in power for eight good years, and no development came to this part of Ngwaland, contrary to his election mantra that “it is an Ngwa man that would fix Aba and Ngwaland”.
Today, the man that was denigrated as a non-Ngwa is the one fixing Ngwaland, including Aba. There is a huge lesson to be taken away from here.
This road which is 11.45 kilometer long covers nine major communities, stretching from Umuomaiukwu, Umuezegu, Umunkpeyi, Umuomainta, Mbawsi Town, Umulemoha, Umulenwa, Umunkolo, to Umuala, all located within the Nsulu clan. By embarking on the reconstruction of this road, Otti has demonstrated a clear commitment to the equitable development of the State, bringing hope to the neglected and marginalized communities in the State.
Apart from opening up the economies of the various communities on that corridor, the reconstruction of the road would bring unprecedented economic opportunities to the people living in the area. The resultant effect is the inevitable social empowerment of the people in the area. Again, given the proximity of the Nsulu clan to Umuahia, the State capital, it is highly expected that all the neighbouring communities within that flank would take advantage of the proximity to attract a lot of investment opportunities, thereby making the Nsulu axis a new economic centre in Abia State.
Underscoring the geo-strategic importance of the road, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs, Dr. Ebere Uzoukwa stated as follows:
“By extending road infrastructure to Nsulu clan, Otti`s administration promotes equity and fairness, fostering a sense of belonging among citizens. This project will have far-reaching impact on the economic, social and political landscape of Nsulu clan”.
The importance of this neglected road becomes clearer when it is realized that some key government socio-economic projects, abandoned for years, are located within the axis. They include the famous Nsulu Games Village that used to be a training hub for sports men and women right from the days of Governor Sam Mbakwe of old Imo State; the Abia Palm Plantation at Mbawsi and the Poultry Cluster at Umuosu Nsulu. With the opening up of the communities and the revamping of these projects, the people along that corridor would receive a new vista of life as job opportunities would be created to engage the idle youths in the area.
Governor Otti, at the flag-off ceremony stated clearly the economic importance of the road reconstruction and the immense opportunities it was bound to bring to the people.
“This 11.45 kilometer stretch of road would on completion in the next 12 months breathe new life into the economies of the communities along this corridor and stimulate job creation through the expansion of opportunities in agriculture, food and beverage processing, hospitality, retail trade and real estate. This is more than just the regular road project; it is a statement of our determination to right the wrongs of the past and effectively remove the shackles that have held down the growth potential of this part of the State.
“The road reconstruction project is strategically connected to the other development projects sited at this region, including the proposed Abia Airport construction project at Nsulu, the redevelopment of Nsulu Games Village into a modern multi-purpose sports complex, and the remodeling of dozens of educational and health facilities in different clans and communities in Isialangwa. The grand design is to make the most of the locational advantage of the communities around this part of the State to create new urban centres outside Aba and Umuahia”.
Against the foregoing submissions, it appears obvious that the governor has a clarity of vision on the holistic development of the State; a vision that is not constrained or circumscribed by any irrational considerations. Like the governor further noted in his speech, “the Ntigha-Mbawsi-Umuala road project and other development initiatives around this part of the State offer a clear peep into our bold development agenda which promise to connect cities and towns, ultimately creating a long stretch of organized and secured urban communities”.
By the flag-off of the Ntigha-Mbawsi-Umuala road, the governor is making a clear statement on the evenhandedness of his government in addressing the development challenges of the State. It will be recalled that Otti had not too long ago embarked on similar road projects of vital economic values in the Abia North and Abia Central districts of the State. They include the expansion and modernization of the Abia Tower-Onuimo road in Umuahia, reconstruction and rehabilitation of Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Ohafia road and construction of the Nunya-Isuikwuato road. Upon the completion of these roads, they would bring unprecedented economic opportunities and prosperity to the people.
A new Abia is rapidly unfolding to the glory of God!
Dr. Nwosu, a Public Affairs Analyst, writes from Umuahia.
Email: cdnwosu2@gmail.com