DEVELOPMENT
Governor Otti Moves to Rescue Stalled Aba–Owerri–NNPC Depot and Achingali–Obizi–Umunwanwa Federal Roads, Orders Immediate Intervention on Impassable Umunwanwa–Ubakala Section to Ease Hardship on Commuters
The Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has commenced concrete steps to ensure that contractors handling the 16.3KM Aba–Owerri Road–NNPC Depot and the 20.7KM Achingali–Obizi–Umunwanwa Road return to site to complete the long-stalled federal road projects and bring an end to the severe difficulties being encountered by residents and road users along the collapsed corridors.
On Tuesday, January 27, Governor Otti met with the management of the construction firms in charge of the projects — ROUDO NIG LTD and BOLIV NIG LTD, led by the Group Chairman, Chief Tony Chukwu, to ascertain the reasons behind the prolonged stoppage of work and to explore practical pathways towards immediate resumption.
At the meeting convened by the Governor, the companies, through their Group Managing Director (GMD), Mr. C.N.C. Nwachukwu, presented their challenges, which centered mainly on lack of funding.
Governor Otti, who disclosed that he had earlier suspected funding to be the major issue but wanted clarity, assured the contractors of his readiness to engage the Federal Ministry of Works alongside them to find lasting solutions.
The two strategic roads, which were first awarded by the Federal Government in 2019 and later redesigned, re-scoped and re-awarded in 2024, serve as major links between Abia and Imo States through Isiala Ngwa South and Umuahia South Local Government Areas. Their deplorable condition has continued to disrupt economic activities, worsen travel time, and expose commuters to untold hardship.
Governor Otti, while acknowledging that some federal projects experienced setbacks in 2025 due to budgetary constraints, challenges he believes have now been resolved, reassured the contractors of collective action to unlock the impasse.
“So, we will together go to the Federal Government, get these things untied. With all the processes that you have gone through… it is money that you are spending, it won’t make sense to cancel it. We will work collectively to see that we can resolve it,” Governor Otti assured.
Even as the process of engaging the Federal Government to get the contractors fully back to site is ongoing, Governor Otti stressed the need for immediate remedial work on the critically impassable Umunwanwa–Ubakala section, which has remained a nightmare for pedestrians and motorists, especially during the rainy season.
“Is there an immediate thing that can happen in the Umunwanwa—Ubalaka section?” Gov. Otti asked, adding, “Because this is a fantastic time to do that before the rains will come again.”
Responding, Mr. C.N.C. Nwachukwu confirmed that with the needed support, the section can be addressed within one month to one and a half months, covering full earthworks, drainages, and asphalt.
Governor Otti further explained that while the contractors handle technical details, the State Government would explore supportive options in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works.
“We can work out something while you deal with the details. I think we have to contact the Honourable Minister (of Works). I think there should be a clear line in sight where the repayment will come from. Once we resolve that, then we’ll work out a way to support you, because, it’s important, so that our people don’t go through the difficulties during the rainy season.
“So, you work out the details, come back to me so that we can look at all the options,” Governor Otti instructed.
The Governor made it clear that although he desires work to commence from the Umunwanwa axis as a matter of urgency, his ultimate objective is to ensure that the entire projects are completed.
“For us, the most important thing is to save the Job. When I’m going to be intervening, I’m going to be intervening in a direction that will get them to complete the entire job. But, we are saying, in the interim, can we start here?
“The important thing is to save the job and get funding for it. And, since the 2025 budget is still open, so, we can get some money. It depends on the kind of negotiations that happen. I have done it before,” Governor Otti added.
The Governor’s latest intervention is a clear demonstration of his administration’s policy of non-discrimination between Federal and State projects, anchored on the conviction that Abians are the primary beneficiaries of all infrastructure within the State. Consequently, every collapsed infrastructure, whether Federal or State must be fixed in the overall interest of the people.
This principle explains why the Alex Otti administration, with the approval of the Federal Government, reconstructed and delivered the strategic Port Harcourt Road in Aba and the once-dreaded Omenuko Bridge, both Federal assets.
The Abia State Government is also currently working on several other Federal roads, including the Umuahia–Ikot-Ekpene Road, Owerrinta–Umuikaa dualization, Onuimo–Tower Road (about 5.7KM dualization), and the Ohafia–Arochukwu Road, among others.
In his vote of thanks, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D., expressed appreciation to Governor Otti for always rising to address the plights of the people and for providing bailouts whenever the welfare of Abians and residents is at stake. He also urged the contractors to live up to expectations and not disappoint the Government.
The Abia State Commissioner for Works, Engr. Don Otumchere Otti,
actively participated in the meeting.