Nigerian House of Representatives yesterday, October 5, made a strong call for the Federal Ministry of Works to commence the immediate reconstruction of the Aba Branch -Afor Oru – Ahiara Junction -Eke Nguru – Oboama Ezinihitte – Okpala Expressway in Imo state.
Hon. Emeka Chinedu,member representing Ahiazu Mbaise/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency, Imo State who moved the Motion, called the attention of the honourable Members to inter alia, note that the deplorable state of the road is due to many years of neglect, and as such, deserves urgent intervention.
He also noted that the Aba Branch Mbano – Afor oru – Ahiara Junction Ahiazu Mbaise – Eke Nguru Aboh Mbaise – Oboama Ezinihitte- Okpala Expressway in Imo State, which cuts across five Local Government Areas, namely: Ehime-Mbano, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Ezinihitte-Mbaise, Aboh- Mbaise and Ngor-Okpala, all in about three Federal Constituencies, is equally a Federal Government road that did not only cut across Mbaise and its environs, but also connects Umuahia from Aba Branch, and Enugu state, through Okpala and Owerrinta, noting also that, the road further connects Owerri the Imo state capital, through the same Okpala to Rivers State, et al.
Emphasizing further, Hon. Chinedu who is also the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on FCT, regretted that the deplorable state of the road has greatly devastated not only the good people of Ahiazu Mbaise/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency, but also, other Federal constituencies and their neighbouring Communities in Mbano, Owerri and Okpala, including motorists and commuters from other parts of the Federation.
“The derelict state of the road has continued to wreak havoc, occasioning a journey of one hour from Okpala to Aba Branch, currently lasting between six and eight hours, where motorists are compelled to create new pathways through peoples’ ancestral land and private homes just to navigate their destination.
The development,is destroying farmlands and most times, leads to an altercation between the villagers and motorists,” he lamented.
Consequently, the House did not only direct for full-scale reconstruction of the Aba Branch – Afor Oru – Ahiara Junction – Eke Nguru – Oboama Ezinihitte – Okpala Expressway, but also urged the Federal Ministry of Works to make adequate budgetary provisions for the project in 2024 budgets and estimates; while mandating the House Committee on Works (once fully constituted) to ensure compliance.
NIGERIA NEWSPOINT
