SbaFoundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development, FENRAD, a human and environmental rights advocacy group commends the governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, CFR over the flag off of the construction of Port Harcourt Road, Aba.
This follows as construction giant, Julius Berger, was awarded a ₦30bn contract to fix the 6.8 kilometer road abandoned by past administrations.
Port Harcourt Road, it should be known, used to be an arterial road linking Aba, Abia State (in the Southeast) to Port Harcourt, Rivers State (in the South-South), and was, until the mid ’90s, an economic nexus of sorts, with businesses and industries thriving there. Sadly, from the mid to late ’90s, the road started wearing until a total collapse in the 2000s which occasioned untold economic dislocation.
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Back in the day, the road used to host, Coca-cola Bottling Company, Udenwanyi Caterpillar Spare Parts Market, lubricating oil retail outlets, bakeries, Crystal Park Hotel, paint manufacturing companies, Nwachukwu Shoes Industry, Hollywood Hotel, to mention but a few. Alaoji and Asa Nnentu markets were equally accessed through the same road. Unfortunately, these industries left in droves following collapse and systemic neglect the road suffered; also did markets within the coordinates of the road thin down considerably, leading to a huge economic loss the state bore and suffered over the years. What is more, motorists now ply Osisioma en route to Port Harcourt.
As a strategic road, Port Harcourt Road does not only link Abia to Rivers State in the South-South alone, it has arterial linkages with some Aba markets too. At one intersection of the road lay Cemetery Road and Ngwa Road at both sides, linking Cemetery and Ahiaohuru markets, while along the same stretch through Asa Road is situated Shopping Center (Ekeoha Market). The road is one a well-meaning government cannot afford to abandon or leave deplorable, but sadly, this was not to be until only recently.
Failed attempts at reconstructing the road after two decades were recorded under previous administrations with the immediate past government being the most notable, when, following a ₦27.4bn World Bank loan it secured, the government did not deliver the road by the end of its tenure, contrary to the promise made Abians.
While FENRAD lauds Governor Alex Chioma Otti for this feat, the Foundation, aware that there’s a challenge ahead, demands that financial disclosure, due diligence and process be followed to the letter, also, that funds be made available at every phase of the work, as the governor had promised.
With 18 months to completion and commissioning, Abians, especially landlords and residents, even business owners, who hitherto deserted their houses, residences and businesses will gradually return, as traffic congestion will reduce significantly in urban centers.
For the value chain that is about to witness a significant boost, and businesses that will soon return if at the end of 18 months the road is delivered, Governor Otti would not only be unlocking the economic and investment potentials of Abia, but also fulfilling his campaign promise, the right way to go.
FENRAD salutes this initiative and calls on the Governor to deliver the dividends of democracy to Abians.
Signed:
Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor
Executive Director
Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD Nigeria
Tel;/WhatsApp 08033383708,07062949232,
Email; fenradnigeria@yahoo.com
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