The newly rehabilitated 1.3-kilometer Dozie Way, a key infrastructure project designed to enhance the economic development of Umuahia and its environs has been commissioned for public use.
Speaking at the Commissioning ceremony, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti said that the project demonstrates his dedication to enhancing economic activities and decongesting traffic in the State Capital.
While disclosing that N750 Million was used to execute the road poroject through direct labor by the Abia State Ministry of Works, Governor Otti said that the direct labour approach saved the State Government significant cost compared to the N2.2 billion quoted by external contractors for the road.
Governor Otti, who described the road as a symbol of his administration’ commitment to transforming Umuahia into a modern urban hub and added that the road serves to decongest traffic on the Ikot Ekpene Road as well as be useful in supporting economic activities in several communities and markets within Lodu, Ahiaeke, and Umuana, all in Umuahia.
“This road will not just boost economic progress beyond the immediate precints of the area but will also lead to new investments in real estate, agriculture hospitality and retail trading around the place including far and beyond.
“This project ultimately will improve the value of property holdings around here”, the Governor said.
Governor Otti disclosed that the State Government plans to embark on expansive road development projects over the next 12 months, including ongoing works along IBB Way and the Ahiaeke-Lodu corridor.
“As you may be aware, preliminary stages of extensive Civil Engineering works are already ongoing along the IBB Way and on the stretch of road leading to Ahiaeke and Lodu”.
“My promise to you is that there would be multiple reconstruction activity along this corridor over the entire length of the present dry season window”, the Governor assured.
In his speech, the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Mr. Austin Mmeregini, described the project as evidence of the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of Abians and urged residents to support the government’s rebuilding agenda and fulfill their civic duties, including paying their taxes.
Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Don Otumchere Oti noted that Dozie Way was initially intended as a strategic bypass to ease traffic congestion from Ikot Ekpene Road to the Timber Market.
He however said that years of neglect by previous administrations left the road in a deplorable state which necessitated the comprehensive rehabilitation of the road.
He said that the road would enhance social and economic activities in the area and urged residents to desist from any act that would jeopardise the efforts of government in the reconstruction of roads.
Also, the Mayor of Umuahia North Local Government Area, Chief Smart Iheoma expressed gratitude to the Governor for alleviating the suffering of residents through the road rehabilitation and appealed for similar interventions in other parts of the Local Government.
In their separate remarks, Leaders of Umuana-Ndume Community, Mr. Friday Ohaeri and Chief John Onyiro commended the Governor for completing the project and called for the rehabilitation of connecting roads to further enhance the movement of goods and people. They assured of their commitment to protecting the road and other public infrastructures.
Azubuike Jinanwa/Divine Nwankwo
Govt. House Press, Umuahia.
26-11-2024.
PICTURE EXCERPTS FROM THE OCCASION
