The  people of Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency who have suffered untold hardship due to the deplorable condition of the Federal road linking them with neighbouring states will soon heave a sigh of relief as the Federal  Ministry of Power, Works and Housing has completed the design for the dualisation and reconstruction of the road.

The member representing the constituency, Rep. Sam Onuigbo confirmed the completion of the design preparatory to award of contract for the first part of the dualisation and reconstruction works.

Onuigbo, who led officials from the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to confirm the design for the dualization of the road explained that the first phase of the project will begin from Abia Tower on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway and  terminate close to Amawom Oboro community in Ikwuano LGA.

The lawmaker who led the officials to meet with traditional rulers at the palace of His Royal Highness Eze Ugochukwu Ejirika, Ugwu Oha 1 of Awom n Ebo stressed the importance of the road as it links several states such as Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River and even the Cameroon with Abia. He  pointed out that the road is a major economic access point for the country as oil prospecting and oil servicing equipment and other important economic products are conveyed to other parts of the country through it, therefore the collapse of the road at certain sections has brought economic to halt.

Onuigbo,  while explaining that the first phase of the dualization will stop at Amawom Oboro noted that there are several failed sections of the road between Okwe-Ariam communities which will not be captured by the first phase of the dualization, hence the need for the Federal Government to come to the rescue of the people by rehabilitating those failed sections before the commencement of the second phase of the job.

The lawmaker also applauded the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, His Excellency, Babatunde Fashola SAN and hailed him as a man whose overall interest is the well-being of Nigerians irrespective of tribe or political affiliation.

In his address to  the traditional rulers and other leaders from Ikwuano, Umuahia North/South and Akwa Ibom state who were present, the leader of the delegation from the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Engineer Emmanuel Adama, said that his team came to confirm the submission made by their consultant—Hancock Ogundiya & Partners— for the dualization of the road from Abia Tower to Amawom. He said the consultant has submitted his report already, and they only came to see things for themselves and file their report before the contract can be awarded.

Engineer Adama said that he and his team have inspected the road up to Ikot Ekpene so as to take note of the areas that have failed and thus would need to be rehabilitated. He said the noted sections will be captured in their report, so that something can be done as quickly as possible.

In his remarks,  the chairman, Ikwuano Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Highness, Eze Ugochukwu Ejirika said the people of Ikwuano are dumbfounded by the fact that this dream is becoming a reality. He said the people of Ikwuano are very proud of Rep. Onuigbo for his effective representation and for being a man of his words, and urged  Engr. Adama to convey to the Honourable Minister how appreciative the people are and to tell him that they will never forget him when this dream becomes a reality.

Eze Ejirika re-affirmed that the road has totally collapsed again hence the need for urgent action. He said that the 2017 palliative work which was facilitated by Rep. Onuigbo, helped a lot to ameliorate the sufferings of commuters. The traditional ruler noted that the people are aware that there will be a price to pay in terms of the demolition of some houses, but they are ready to bear the pains since the gains will be worth it.