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The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has appealed to the Federal Government to open major roads in Abia State so as to allow investments into the State.
He made the appeal when he received the Minister of Works, Power and Housing H.E Babatunde Fashola SAN, at the Government house, Umuahia.
The Governor promised to assist the FG to ensure that whatever is required of the State to make it a reality will be done. He noted that opening major roads will bring people from different states to do business in Abia as well as appreciate what the Government has done within 2 years in Office.
The Governor explained that Aba has peculiar challenges of flooding which requires road designs with proper water channels, and that his Government is building roads that will outlive his administration with cement Pavement technology.
Dr. Ikpeazu mentioned Aba Owerri road, Ubakala-Umuahia road, as some of the Federal roads the State Government has given a face-lift. He explained that the State has concluded the design for Portharcout Road which is to be reconstructed by Africa Development Bank. He called on FG to help the state to fast track the arrangement.
He called on host communities to maintain a cordial relationship with the contractors to enable them work at expected speed.
The Governor thanked the Minister and Mr President for the interventions on some of the Federal roads.
Earlier, Mr Fashola said he is in Abia on a 2 day whistle tour, to see the progress contractors are making to deliver federal projects in the State. He stated that the FG is in Abia to support development aspirations of the State in line with the Change agenda Mr President promised Nigerians.
Speaking also, the Federal controller of works in the State Mr Bello, said that the FG has 9 roads valued at one hundred and one billion (#100.1b) at their different stages of completion in the State.
He mentioned the roads to include; Rehabilitation of Enugu-Portharcourt section 1 which cuts across Aba, Umuahia – Okigwe road, Aba-Ikot-Ekpene road, Arochukwu – Ohafia road and other constituency projects.
Mr Fashola used the opportunity to commend the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia federal Constituency Hon. Sam Onuigbo for his continuous push for the rehabilitation of Umuahia – Ikot-ekpene road.
The Minister who visited some road sites in Aba with the governor, stated that some of the road projects were awarded last three years but could not continue due to lack of mobilization of contractors to various construction sites.
The Honourable Minister assured that FG is working out plans to bring development partners that will finance the Aba power project to boost the economy of the State, since the rift between Geometrics and EEDC has been resolved.
The Minister was presented with a box filled with made-in-Aba products by the Governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.
Mr Fashola thanked Abia State Governor for the hospitality.
The tour continues tomorrow.
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