IKOT EKPENE/UMUAHIA ROAD: A NEW DAWN FOR IKWUANO AND ABIA STATE

For years, the Umuahia/Ikwuano/Ikot Ekpene Federal Road was a symbol of neglect and suffering. During the rainy season, the road became an eyesore, with passengers, buses and private vehicles frequently trapped in deep mud and potholes. Motorists often had to escape through adjoining bush paths. The cries of affected communities, individuals and groups seemed to fall on deaf ears.

Hope temporarily came in 2019 when the Buhari-led Federal Government, under the then Minister of Works, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, awarded the contract for the road reconstruction to Hartland Civil Engineering Construction Company. Unfortunately, what should have brought relief became a prolonged nightmare. For years, the project made little tangible progress, leaving communities frustrated and commuters exposed to hardship.

I repeatedly raised my concerns, drawing the attention of both the Buhari administration and, subsequently, President Bola Tinubu to the incompetence of the contractor and deplorable condition of the road. Despite reports of approvals and funding, the visible results remained disappointing. I continued to speak out, resisting every attempt to discourage or silence my advocacy.

Little did I know that Governor Alex Otti of Abia State was on the sideline listening and observing the absurdity.
On 24 October 2025, he flagged off the reconstruction of the Umuahia/Ikwuano/Ikot Ekpene Road, rekindling hope to the people of Ikwuano and neighbouring communities. The project, covering approximately 25 kilometres, was given an 18-month completion target.

What makes this intervention particularly remarkable is the decision of the Abia State Government to take responsibility for a federal road and finance its reconstruction rather than wait indefinitely for the Federal Government's contractor that was asleep on the road. The state took over the lethargic project previously handled by the contractor and engaged a new contractor, GELD Construction Ltd. to accelerate the work.

Even more striking is Governor Otti's reported position that he was prepared to proceed with the project without making a refund from the Federal Government a precondition for action. In other words, the state would undertake the reconstruction whether or not it eventually recovered the expenditure from the Federal Government, despite the road being a federal responsibility.
This is an extraordinary demonstration of commitment to public welfare. Ordinarily, one would expect a state government undertaking such a substantial financial responsibility on a federal road to seek assurances about reimbursement before committing its resources. Uncertainty over refunds could easily discourage such an undertaking. Yet, in this instance, the priority appears to be the relief of the people rather than the financial convenience of government.
That is the difference between waiting for responsibility to be assigned and taking responsibility because the people can no longer wait.

During my visit home this weekend, I was astonished by the pace and apparent quality of the work,(pictures are hereby exhibited). Despite persistent and heavy rainfall, the contractor has continued working with impressive dedication, including at night and on Sundays. The transformation taking place on the ground is encouraging.

I was particularly impressed by the work on the Ariam/Usaka Ring Road, also being handled by GELD Construction Ltd. The level of activity and commitment I witnessed demonstrated what purposeful planning, effective supervision and dedication to delivery can achieve. The progress offers hope to residents who have endured years of poor road infrastructure.

The people deserve durable roads, not temporary relief. The untarred areas left by Hartland especially the axis between Isiala Headquarter and Ugbuebulle village should be taken into consideration by GELD Construction Company and tidied up as the work progresses.

Dr Alex's governance experience has reinforced my conviction that governance must be measured not merely by promises, but by visible results that improve the daily lives of citizens. Roads are not simply stretches of asphalt; they connect communities, facilitate commerce, improve access to education and healthcare, and restore dignity to people who have endured years of neglect.

Governor Otti's intervention has demonstrated the importance of responsive leadership, purposeful engagement and a determination to address the practical needs of the people. His willingness to commit state resources to a road that falls within federal responsibility, without making reimbursement the condition for proceeding, is particularly significant to me.
What a leader! God has blessed Abia with a leader whose actions, in this instance, demonstrate a profound concern for the welfare of the people and a willingness to shoulder responsibility where others have failed to deliver. To me, this is the kind of leadership that restores public confidence in government.

The people of Ikwuano and Abia State have every reason to take notice of this development as they assess the governor's record ahead of the 2027 governorship election. For me, the progress I witnessed represents an important example of the kind of governance that citizens should demand at every level of government.

I therefore join the voices of Ndi Ikwuano and Ndi Abia who are expressing appreciation for this intervention and calling for continuity in the state's development efforts. My support for Governor Otti's re-election is rooted in my assessment of his performance and the hope that the momentum of development will be sustained as he continues in 2027.

Our people deserve leadership that is humane, responsible, thoughtful, accountable and humble. These are qualities that should guide public service, whether at the local, state or federal level.

Eastern Region has a rich history of notable leadership. Many of us recall with admiration the legacies associated with late Dr Michael Okpara, former Premier of the Eastern Region, and late Dr Sam Mbakwe, former Governor of old Imo State. Their contributions remain important reference points in discussions about purposeful leadership and development. The current development efforts in Abia State invite us to reflect on that tradition and on the responsibility of every administration to leave a lasting, positive legacy.

I am encouraged by what I witnessed on the Umuahia/Ikwuano/Ikot Ekpene corridor. I believe that the work will be completed to the highest engineering standards, within the stipulated timeframe, and maintained for the long-term benefit of our people. This December shall be enjoyable!

May responsible and people-centred governance continue to flourish in Abia State and across Nigeria. May our leaders always remember that public office is a trust, and that the true measure of leadership is the difference it makes in the lives of ordinary citizens.

*May God bless, Dr Alex Otti, Ikwuano, bless Abia State, and bless Nigeria. Amen.*

Dr M.O. Ubani SAN
Deputy Board Chairman of Ottimania, Nigeria.