By Inside Agwa Newspaper Reporter| June 23, 2025
Umuahia — In a bold stride toward achieving lasting road infrastructure across Abia State, the administration of Governor Alex Chioma Otti has rolled out an impressive 48 direct labour road rehabilitation and maintenance projects, with works currently ongoing simultaneously across various parts of the state.
This was revealed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, during a media briefing at the Government House, Umuahia, following the week’s State Executive Council (SEC) meeting presided over by the Governor.
According to the Commissioner, two of the 48 projects have already been completed. These include the 1-kilometre Ahiama-Umueka-Oku-Olokoro Road in Umuahia South LGA and the 11.4-kilometre Nkwegu-Afugiri-Umueyata Road in Umuahia North LGA. These completed roads are part of a broader state-wide strategy to restore and maintain motorable roads across Abia’s three senatorial zones.
“The Governor is keen on ensuring that no part of the state is left behind,” Prince Kanu stated. “We are pursuing road rehabilitation aggressively using direct labour to ensure quicker delivery, reduced costs, and lasting quality.”
In addition to the 48 ongoing projects, the government has expanded its maintenance plan by incorporating three more critical road segments into the direct labour portfolio. These newly added projects are:
Ozuama Spur through Kopas Lodge — a 400-metre link road in Umuahia North LGA;
Abiriba Roundabout to Uriakwa Junction — a 3.3-kilometre stretch in Aba;
Senator Adolphus Nwagbara Road — a 120-metre spur off IBB-Ahiaeke Road in Umuahia.
The choice of the direct labour approach, the Commissioner explained, is rooted in the government’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and efficiency. He noted that the system allows the state to react swiftly to deteriorating road conditions without the delays often associated with outsourced contracts.
Residents across Abia have already begun to feel the impact of the government’s push for improved transportation infrastructure. The road upgrades are expected to ease travel time, boost commerce, and enhance access to schools, health centres, and markets, especially in rural communities.
Analysts believe the sustained momentum in road development reflects Governor Otti’s broader development blueprint, which prioritizes infrastructure as a catalyst for economic transformation and inclusive governance.
“As we progress, more roads will be identified and added to the programme,” Prince Kanu assured, calling on communities to support and protect government assets.
With a strategic blend of political will and prudent resource management, Abia State appears set to redefine the road infrastructure landscape under Governor Otti’s leadership.
