The Governor, Dr Alex Otti has flagged off the reconstruction of the long abandoned 41.4 kilometer Ohafia-Arochukwu federal Highway.
Speaking at the flag off ceremony at the Old Soldier Junction,Ebem Ohafia, Governor Otti said the gesture is in keeping with his campaign promise of easing the burden faced by the people.
He further said the move is aimed at creating economic advancement opportunities within Communities as well as to build new systems of advantages for the next generation.
“What we have come to do today is to take our destiny in our hands.Today,we have come to begin a holistic process that will put an end to this age-old nightmare and give fellow Abians living in the over 60 communities and clans around the corridor a new lease of life”, the Governor explained.
According to him ,the project aligns perfectly with the integrated development agenda of creating new pathways of opportunities for individuals and Communities, noting that work is progressing smoothly on the Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Ohafia road as well as the Arochukwu-Ndi Okereke-Ozuabam Road.
The Governor who recalled the construction of the road in the 1960s by the then government of Late Dr Michael Okpara as a major artery connecting several Communities and towns , said that the road served as a major economic enabler in Agriculture, commerce and tourism, regretting that since then the road had become a political tool in the hands of successive administrations.
He also noted that the road had in the past created windows of economic opportunities for neighbouring states of Akwa Ibom and Cross River and expressed the hope that the federal government will do the needful on time as when completed the road will have significant economic impacts for federal and state revenues.
In their goodwill messages, the Deputy Governor ,Chief Ikechukwu Emetu and the member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia federal Constituency Chief Ibe Okwara Osonwa while thanking Governor Alex Otti for taking the bold step in reconstructing the road said that the gesture marks a positive move for the economic rejuvenation of the Abia north senatorial zone.
Also speaking,a former minister of Finance, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu and the Eze Aro,Eze Eberechukwu Oji said Governor Otti has through the gesture brought an end to the many years of reproach on people living along Arochukwu-Ohafia, assuring that stakeholders in the areas will give the contractor the needed support to deliver the job according to specifications.
The commissioner for works, Engr Otumchere Oti said that the reconstruction of the road will mark a major turning point in the socio-political development of Ohafia and Arochukwu as it will automatically revitalize businesses within the areas.
In his remarks, the mayor of Ohafia LGA ,Chief David Ogba-Onuoha while describing the project as the beginning of a progressive chapter saying that the Governor is consistently paving the way for greater prosperity and even development.
The flag off ceremony attracted the presence of major stakeholders in the Abia polity.
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