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Senate calls for immediate action on Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road
By Amaechi Okoro
The Nigerian Senate has taken a step towards addressing the country’s pressing infrastructure needs by urging the Federal Government to release funds for the completion of the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road.
This vital transportation link connects Abia State and Akwa Ibom State, passing through the Ikwuano Local Government Area.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered during the senate plenary that the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road has been in a deplorable state for over 30 years, despite interventions by successive governments.
This has resulted in significant economic hardship for residents of Abia and Akwa Ibom States, who face extreme difficulties due to the road’s poor condition.
The road’s rehabilitation is crucial for the economic development of the region, as it facilitates the transportation of goods and people
In 2018, the Federal Government awarded the road’s reconstruction/rehabilitation contract to Messrs Hartland Nigeria Limited and Raydon & Company Nigeria Limited, valued at approximately N13 billion.
The project was later moved under the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) tax credit initiative for funding.
However, despite the contractors commencing work on the first phase of the project, progress has been extremely slow, exacerbated by rainy season challenges.
The delay in completing the project has significantly affected the daily lives and economic activities of residents in Abia and Akwa Ibom States.
Traders, transporters, and residents face extreme hardship due to the road’s poor condition.
The road’s rehabilitation is essential for boosting economic activities in the region, as it will facilitate the transportation of goods and people.
Without immediate intervention during the dry season, the road risks being completely cut off in the next rainy season.
It has also compounded the difficulties for motorists and traders reliant on this vital link.
The Senate’s resolution emphasizes the need for urgent repairs to be carried out on failed sections of the road.
The Senate, therefore, resolved as follows:
1. Urge the Federal Ministry of Works to expedite the release of funds for the project and ensure that urgent repairs are carried out on failed sections of the road, and,
2. Appeal to the Federal Government to prioritize the completion of the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road rehabilitation to alleviate the suffering of citizens and bolster economic activities between Abia and Akwa Ibom States.
The Senate said that the resolution underscores it’s commitment to addressing infrastructural challenges and improving the welfare of Nigerians dependent on critical transport links.
Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit is a significant challenge to the country’s economic development.
The lack of adequate infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and highways, hinders economic growth, increases transportation costs, and affects the quality of life of citizens.
The lawmakers said that the resolution demonstrates their commitment to addressing the country’s infrastructural challenges.
As part of its oversight functions, the Senate has a critical role to play in ensuring that the Federal Government prioritizes infrastructure development and allocates sufficient funds for projects such as the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road rehabilitation.
Infrastructure development has numerous economic benefits, including:
Job creation: Infrastructure projects create employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled workers.
Economic growth: Infrastructure development stimulates economic growth by improving the business environment and increasing access to markets.
Increased productivity: Good infrastructure reduces transportation costs and increases productivity, making businesses more competitive.
Improved quality of life: Infrastructure development improves the quality of life of citizens by providing access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and sanitation.
Despite the importance of infrastructure development, Nigeria faces several challenges, including:
Funding constraints: Infrastructure development requires significant funding, which is often not available.
Corruption: Corruption is a major challenge facing infrastructure development in Nigeria, as it leads to misallocation of resources and poor project execution.
Inadequate planning: Poor planning and lack of coordination among government agencies often lead to infrastructure projects being abandoned or poorly executed.
To address the country’s infrastructural challenges, the following recommendations are made:
- Prioritize infrastructure development:
The Federal Government should prioritize infrastructure development and allocate sufficient funds for projects such as the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road rehabilitation.
- Ensure timely completion of projects:
The Federal Government should ensure that infrastructure projects are completed on time to avoid delays and cost overruns.
- Improve road maintenance:
The Federal Government should improve road maintenance to prevent roads from deteriorating and to reduce the need for costly repairs.
- Encourage private sector participation:
The Federal Government should encourage private sector participation in infrastructure development to bridge the funding gap and to bring in expertise and efficiency
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