The state government has flagged off the 19.5km Okai Item in Bende local government and Akaeze Ebonyi state link road project.
Speaking during the flag off event at the boundary between Okai Item and Akaeze in Ebonyi State, the Governor, Dr Alex Otti said that the road would open more area for farming as well as help them bring out their farm products for business activities.
The Governor represented by his Deputy, Chief Ikechukwu Emetu further pointed out that the road would encourage ease of doing business between Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and other neighbouring states.
He reaffirmed that the present government is committed to ensure that there is lasting peace at their boundary areas pending the commencement of demarcation of the disputed areas by the National Boundary Commission.
Gov Otti assured that military personnel would be stationed at the boundary area between Okai item and their neighbouring Akaeze community of Ebonyi State and disclosed that the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State have cautioned his Akaeze people to stop further crisis at the boundary areas till the final demarcation is done.
The state Chief Executive urged them to be patient with the government as they are committed in their resolve to provide basic infrastructure across the State.
Also speaking the Mayor of Bende LGA, Barr. Chijioke Nwankwo who accompanied the Governor on the flag off of the road states that beyond facilitating movement, the road projects will improve interconnectivity among rural areas, encouraged residents economic activities, quick access to essential services and over all quality of life in rural areas.
Mayor Nwankwo further expressed that he had tapped into Gov. Otti’s road projects to intervene in rural grading of Onuinyang-Ukpom Okporoenyi rural road, Eluama-Uzoawunta Uzuakoli road, Ugwunkpa and Nkpokwa community road, Ugwueke Ezeukwu community road and Amaokwe Akanu – Okai community road in item.
These 6, rural roads so far graded he said, has been impassible for several years, is now accessible to the communities and in line with the Governors efforts to transform Abia state.
In their separate speeches, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, of Vision Africa Radio and former House of Assembly member, Chief Ndukwe Ojukwu, said the construction of the road would deepen development and help their people evacuate their farm products to other states.
In his remarks, the President-General of Okai Item, Mazi Ogechukwu Samuel Ogba commended the state governor, Dr Alex Otti for flagging off the road construction between Okai item and Akaeze and thanked the governor for his dogged efforts in bringing lasting solution to the boundary disputes between Okai item and Akaeze in Ebonyi state.
The event attracted the presence of the Deputy Mayor Ohafia LGA, Chief Mkpa Oju Nkpa, Clergymen, Item Council of Traditional Rulers among other notable sons Okai item.
