Rep. Benjamin Kalu (Member, Representing Bende Federal Constituency) has thanked the Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, following news that rehabilitation and construction on the Umuahia-Bende-Ohafia Road (LOT2) in Abia State has finally been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The approval, announced today during the FEC meeting, is for the rehabilitation to commence from the Umuahia axis of the road valued at N12.08bn to span a distance of 45km.
In a statement to correspondents, a very elated Rep. Kalu thanked Minister Fashola for his listening ear, consideration and support over the last one year regarding the approval and repair of the Bende-Ohafia road.
“i thank President Muhammadu Buhari and the entire Federal Executive Council for acknowledging our request for federal intervention in the Umuahia-Bende-Ohafia road and approving the rehabilitation and construction of the road which had been abandoned since its construction in 1976. The people of Bende have suffered greatly as a result of the severe dilapidation of the road; therefore FEC’s approval of the project is concrete proof that this particular administration is genuine about stopping infrastructure decay in the country.
I especially thank the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, for his cooperation and for taking this project as his own over the last one year. I appreciate his passionate presentation of the case of my people at the FEC meeting today and must also acknowledge the Honourable Minister of State, Mines and Steel, Dr. Uche Ogah for lending his voice in support of this project at the FEC meeting and for being the first to break the news joyfully, congratulating me for a good representation of Abia people at the National Assembly.
Indeed, I am very impressed with the efficiency demonstrated by the people at the Ministry of Works during my engagements with them for this federal government intervention over the last one year. The people at the Ministry of Works demonstrated such excellence that gave me hope for the future of public service in Nigeria.
I particularly appreciate the Ministry of Works Permanent Secretary, the former acting permanent secretary Engr. Yemi, the Director of Works – South-East highways Engr. Funso Adebiyi, as well as the staff at the Abia state office of the Ministry, especially Engr. Nwankwo (rtd.) who worked diligently with my team headed by Cyril Kwubiri during the measurement and design of the road.
As this project moves to appropriation, I want to seize this opportunity to appeal to the leadership of both chambers of the legislature and indeed everyone involved in the appropriation process to render their gracious support to put an end to the suffering of my people. I am hopeful that the contractor will be duly funded to immediately commence work from the Umuahia axis having secured this approval”.
This is good news for all the leaders irrespective of party affiliations within the axis where this road cuts across, like Rep. Sam Onuigbo, Ikwuano-Umuahia Federal Constituency for the Umuahia axis of the road, myself representing Bende Federal Constituency for the Bende axis of the road, Rep. Uko Nkole of Arochukwu-Ohafia Federal Constituency for the Ohafia Axis of the road, including Senator T.A. Orji, Abia Central Senatorial Zone and Senator Orji Kalu, Abia North Senatorial Zone for the Abia Central and Abia North axes of the road respectively.”
Rep. Kalu expressed hopes that economic activities in his constituency would enjoy a boost upon completion of the project.
Drum Africa Correspondents also witnessed a congratulatory phone call from the Honourable Minister of State for Mines and Steel, who phoned in to congratulate Rep. Kalu on the giant stride. They both agreed that Fashola is doing a great job, describing him as a public servant with unique qualities worthy of emulation and as one who is committed to rehabilitating the infrastructures around the nation both in urban and rural areas- which Bende Federal Constituency falls under.
The Honourable Minister of Works who equally spoke to the Representative immediately after the FEC meeting assured him of increased effort to fund the project adding that he should be expectant for the Bende-Itumbauzo-Akwa Ibom road.
