Abia State Government says it has expanded its road maintenance programme with 11 new projects, bringing the number of ongoing direct-labour road maintenance projects across the state to 59.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing Journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu said two projects had recently been completed, while 11 others had been added to the maintenance programme of the Ministry of Works.
The completed projects include erosion control works at Ezi-Alayi Road in Bende Local Government Area and the installation of reinforced concrete slabs over open manholes and drains across Aba and Umuahia, bringing the number of manholes covered by the Ministry to 120.
He listed some of the newly introduced projects to include the clearing and grading of a three-kilometre road within the Abia State Industrial Innovation Park, Ukwa West; construction of Late Sir Nwala Link Road–Juan Alec Road in Isiala Ngwa South; maintenance of Akwukwaegbu Drive at Orieugba Market, Umuahia North; and rehabilitation of Orie–Eziama–Ntigha Road in Isiala Ngwa North.
Others are the construction of Amaekpu Street, Abayi, Aba; Ibom Waterfall Road and Ndi Okereke Road in Arochukwu; drainage works, rehabilitation of Igbere Ring Road, Phase Three, and road construction within Arochukwu General Hospital.
The Information Commissioner further disclosed that 23 road projects were currently under contract across the state, noting that construction activities were gaining momentum following improvements in weather conditions.
He said two completed projects, the 12.6-kilometre Ohanze–Obiete–Akrika-Obu Road, linking Obingwa and Ukwa East Local Government Areas, and the seven-kilometre Bende–Idima Road in Abam, would soon be presented for commissioning.
Prince Kanu warned that the removal or tampering with manhole covers was a criminal offence, adding that anyone apprehended would be prosecuted for endangering public safety.
He urged residents to protect public infrastructure and report acts of vandalism, stressing the need for collective responsibility in safeguarding government facilities.
The Commissioner also cautioned individuals and communities against constructing unauthorised roadblocks and speed bumps on public roads, explaining that such practices could accelerate road deterioration when not properly executed.
He advised communities seeking to install speed bumps or other traffic-calming facilities to obtain approval from the Ministry of Works to ensure compliance with approved engineering standards.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Don Otumchere Oti, said the Ministry would inspect proposed locations, determine the necessity of such installations and provide the required technical supervision.
The Commissioner added that the government could independently investigate reported accident-prone locations and install appropriate safety measures where necessary.
He also disclosed that the state government was handling 82 road projects through his Ministry, with plans to accommodate more roads for reconstruction.
Oti said work was ongoing on the 29-kilometre Ohafia–Ihechiowa–Ututu–Arochukwu Road, which is being handled by two contractors, while construction activities on the Onuinyang–Okporoenyi Road were expected to gather momentum following the end of the rainy season.
The commissioner also listed the Umuoriehi–Umuawa Ohuhu Road among projects being considered by the government.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public-Private Partnership and Investment Promotion, High Chief J.N. Green-Amankwe, and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ctz. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, were also present at the briefing.
