Categories
AFNewsNG Logo
Abia State News Special Report

ROAD FAILURE: IKPEAZU DENIES MAKING STATEMENT REGARDING UMUARO-EKWERAZU ROAD

Afnews Editor

Sep 03, 2019

mail
Based on a press release made available to Abia Facts Newspaper, Gov Okezie Ikpeazu has denied making a statement credited to him on a national newspaper regarding the state of Umuaro-Ekwerazu Road.

READ ALSO: Chimaobi Desmond Anyaso Challenges Youths on Enterprise, Leadership, Backs Continuity of Otti's Reforms

In the said publication, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu was quoted to have made the following statement among others:

READ ALSO: GRAND RECEPTION: Massive Crowd Endorses Alex Otti for 2027 as He Unveils Bold Plans to Transform Umuahia | WATCH VIDEO

"Yes, I have received calls and complains about the poor construction on the road. I have ordered the contractor to return to site and ensure a complete reconstruction of the road. Ministry of Works will monitor what they are doing to ensure that the standard in terms of the roads that our administration is known for, is maintained.

READ ALSO: Abia [Isuikwuato]: Council Boss Speaks On Increasing kidnapping, insecurity in the LGA

"I am not happy about the poor job done by the contractor. There is no way we will accept that a road done by this administration failed less than on year after construction. Unfortunately, we have not commissioned the road, so they must reconstruct the road", Governor Ikpeazu was reported to have said.

READ ALSO: Birthday: Former Deputy Governor Ude Oko Chukwu Celebrates Ikechukwu Emetu, Offers Prayers for Strength in Building New Abia

But in a reply by Abia State Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi kalu, he explained that the governor was quoted out of context.

READ ALSO: UPDATES: Abia State Keke Operators Shut down Umuahia | SEE REASONS [PHOTOS / VIDEO]

Hear him:

READ ALSO: APC Reacts To PDP's Choice Of Funke Akindele As Guber Running Mate | DETAILS

We wish to state that at no time during the relevant interview did Governor Okezie Ikpeazu make the quoted statement as his response to the question on the current state of the road was obviously taken out of context and manipulated to reflect the malicious intent of those who published the statement.

READ ALSO: Atiku Refuses to Release Academic Records After Demanding Transparency from Tinubu

For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Ikpeazu, in the said interview, acknowledged the spotting of the road as a result of the heavy traffic it is currently taking due to the complete failure of the two federal roads linking Abia with Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

READ ALSO: Buba Marwa Speaks Tough As He Resumes As NDLEA Chairman

Umuaro-Ekwerazu Road was originally designed to be a Trunk C road to evacuate farm produce from border communities but has fallen under heavy traffic due to the failed adjoining federal trunk A roads linking Akwa Ibom and Cross River States to Abia State, particularly Aba - Ikot Ekpene federal highway and Umuahia - Ikot Ekpene federal highway.

READ ALSO: REVEALED: Bende Youths Declare Total Support for Alex Otti's 2027 Return, Back Chimaobi Desmond Anyaso for Reps Seat

The Governor mentioned in the extant interview that the contractor, Tunnel End Construction Company Ltd, has been directed to return to the site to execute palliative measures on the road pending when the state can fund full reconstruction to take the current high traffic. At no time did the Governor complain about "poor quality of job done by the contractor" and never mentioned any individual involved in the contract as he is well aware that the contract is strictly between the company and Abia State Government.

READ ALSO: Birthday: Emenike Iroegbu Celebrates Ikechukwu Emetu, Praises His Support for Otti's Agenda

We wish to restate our confidence in Tunnel End Construction Company Ltd and its management team as the company has continued to partner with us to deliver quality roads according to designs given to them.

Related Stories

""

— Afnews Editor

Join the Conversation

Signed in as Member