Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has commissioned the newly rehabilitated 1.3-kilometer Dozie Way, a key infrastructure project designed to enhance the economic development of Umuahia and its environs.
Speaking at the Commissioning Ceremony, disclosed that the N750 Million Project was executed through direct labor by the Abia State Ministry of Works, thereby saving the State Government significant costs compared to the N2.2 billion quoted by external contractors.
The Governor described the road as a symbol of his administration’s commitment to transforming Umuahia into a modern urban hub and added that the project demonstrates his dedication to enhancing economic activities and decongesting traffic in the State Capital.
This road also serves to decongest traffic on the Ikot Ekpene Road when there is gridlock. It is also very useful in supporting the economic activities in several communities markets within Lodu, Ahiaeke, Umuana and Umuahia.
“This road will not just boost economic progress beyond the immediate precints of the area but will also lead to new investments in real estate, agriculture hospitality and retail trading places far and beyond.
“This project ultimately will spurge up creation as improve the value of property holdings around here”, he said.
Governor Otti disclosed that the State Government plans to embark on expansive road development projects over the next 12 months, including ongoing works along IBB Way and the Ahiaeke-Lodu corridor.
“As you may be aware, preliminary stages of extensive Civil Engineering works are already ongoing along the IBB Way and on the stretch of road leading to Ahiaeke and Lodu.
“My promise to you is that there would be multiple reconstruction activity along this corridor over the entire length of the present dry season window“, he said.
In his speech, the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Mr. Austin Mmeregini, described the project as evidence of the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of Abians and urged residents to support the Government’s rebuilding agenda and fulfill their civic duties, including paying their taxes.
In his address earlier, the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Otumchere Oti, noted that Dozie Way was initially intended as a strategic bypass to ease traffic congestion from Ikot Ekpene Road to the Timber Market.
He however noted that years of neglect by previous administrations left the road in a deplorable state, necessitated the comprehensive rehabilitation of the road.
Oti while highlighting that the road would enhance social and economic activities in the area, urged residents to desist from any act that would jeopardise the efforts of government in reconstructing the road.
Also, the Chairman of Umuahia North Local Government Area, Chief Smart Iheoma, expressed gratitude to the Governor for alleviating the suffering of residents through the road rehabilitation and appealed for similar interventions in other parts of the Local Government.
In their separate remarks, Leaders of Umuana-Ndume Community, including Mr. Friday Ohaeri and Chief John Onyiro, commended the Governor for completing the project and called for the rehabilitation of connecting roads to further enhance the movement of goods and people.
They urged residents to protect the newly constructed road and desist from activities that could undermine the State Government’s efforts.
