Reconstruction of some major roads in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, has commenced.

The state governor, Chief Theodore Orji, launched the dry season road construction programme in the state at the Aba-Owerri Road by Brass Junction yesterday, saying that 16 major roads have been marked for rehabilitation to give the city the facelift it deserves.

Orji also assured that his administration is committed to total transformation of Aba, hence the attention being paid to other sectors, including health and power generation.

News Express had on Nov. 12 reported Orji as promising that immediately the dry season set in, his administration would rehabilitate 16 roads in Aba recommended by a task force as being in bad shape. The governor had made the promise while addressing an enlarged caucus meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abia State chapter.

The affected roads include Azikiwe, Jubillee, Cemetery, Milverton Avenue, Eziukwu/Okigwe Roundabout, Ama Ogbonna, Nwala by Faulks Road to Brass Junction at Aba Owerri Road.

Others are Ngwa Road, Ohanku (which is on-going), Emelogu Road (completed but drainage to be added), Ehere, Omoba and Umuola Roads. The rest are Ikot Ekpene Road (from Opobo junction to Bata), Ama Ogbonna/Omuma by ACCN Nwigwe by Nwagba Avenue and Geometric Access Road.

“We are here to do great things,” Orji (shown in photo) declared while performing the flag-off ceremony yesterday.

In a veiled reference to scathing criticisms against his government occasioned by the poor state of Aba roads, Orji reminded Aba residents that Enyimba City has always been in his mind and that he has always been attending to their needs. 

He lamented that the level of infrastructural decay in Aba was beyond any governor to rehabilitate all the roads without abandoning other parts of the state, saying that he would do the much he could as far as available resources could carry him.

Orji reminded the people that he did not abandon the commercial city when it came under serious attack by kidnappers and other criminal elements as he acted quickly to restore peace and security to the area.

He equally assured Aba residents that besides providing them with good roads, government also attaches great importance to their healthcare and has thus built a teaching hospital and ultra modern diagnostic centre.

In addition, he said he was partnering with Geometric Power Limited to deliver adequate and uninterrupted power supply to boost commercial activities in Aba.

The governor broke the good news that he and his Akwa Ibom counterpart, Godswill Akpabio, are joining forces to reconstruct Aba-Ikot Ekpene Road to enhance inter-state commerce, just as he has succeeded in drawing the federal government to give attention to Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

Commissioner for works, Prince Kingsley Mgbahuru, said that Aba was chosen for the flag-off of the road construction season because of the importance the governor attaches to the city. He said that no fewer than 10 roads have already been rehabilitated in Aba.

“God being on our side, we hope to ensure that all nooks and crannies of God’s own state, Abia, were provided with infrastructural facilities,” Mgbeahuru said.