FENRAD LAUD OTTI OVER FLAG-OFF OF OHAFIA-AROCHUKWU ROAD ABANDONED FOR DECADES ..... Calls For Probe For Years OfNrglect

"The Foundation is thrilled that after years of neglect and abandonment, over sixty communities living in the corridor where the road project traversed can now breathe in a fresh air." Nwafor

"It is sad that the said road was abandoned and allowed to suffer a total collapse that laid waste to it after many decades. What is more, the road was first constructed under the premiership of Dr. Michael Ọkpara of the NCNC in the then Eastern Region."

The Abia State has been lauded for the initiative to drive development through massive road infrastructure provision in Abia State, following its intervention on road infrastructure in the state.

Lauding the Abia State government is a pro-democracy and environmental rights advocacy group, the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development, FENRAD in a statement issued on Thursday in Aba, capital of Abia State.

The statement which was signed by the groups Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor and made available to journalists, said "the Foundation is thrilled that after years of neglect and abandonment, over sixty communities living in the corridor where the road project traversed can now breathe in a fresh air. 

"It is sad that the said road was abandoned and allowed to suffer a total collapse that laid waste to it after many decades. What is more, the road was first constructed under the premiership of Dr. Michael Ọkpara of the NCNC in the then Eastern Region, meaning that successive governments have only been paying lip service. For the record: Michael Ọkpara's premiership came to an end with the January coup of 1966. So the decay is one that spanned decades until the recent intervention by the governor." FENRAD stated.

"The forty-four-kilometer refundable project under reconstruction by the state government, when completed, the Foundation believes, will not only bring about intensified agricultural productivity but also ensure effective communication between agrarian communities and suburbs thereby creating a better food price regime. 

"Again, in the interest of inclusion, especially to ensure that no part of the state is left out, it is wise that not only city roads get a facelift, but those in semi/urban city centres." The statement read.

The Foundation, having congratulated the Governor, called on him to ensure that  fiscal prudence is maintained, especially concerning initial award of contract for the same road later abandoned under past administrations.

"Fiscal prudence must be maintained and every kobo, to the very last, must be recovered and put to tangible use." The statement stressed.

The state further noted that "It is through projects like this that economic nexus is built, creating arterial linkages that channel production to every part of the state. 

The Foundation furthermore, "called on the Governor to ramp up ongoing infrastructure provision, especially the 30-kilometer Arochukwu-Ndiokereke-Ozuabam Road, the 67-kilometer Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Ohafia Raod, and all other ongoing road projects nearby which when completed will address infrastructure gaps and deficits in the state occasioned by decades of abandonment. 

In conclusion, FENRAD saluted the move by the Alex Otti led administration, demanding a thorough investigation regarding award of contract and construction of the abandoned road.