Restoring road infrastructure in Abia State, especially Aba, the state’s commercial hub, is one of the key priorities of the present administration in the state and its representatives at the National Assembly.
Good road network in Aba will not only ease traffic, but would improve commerce and attract fresh investments into the commercial city, regarded as the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) capital of Nigeria.
Consequently, Prestige Ossy, member representing Aba North/Aba South federal constituency in the House of Representatives, appealed to the Federal Government to support the Abia State Government to rebuild roads, especially Port Harcourt road and other federal roads in the commercial city.
Ossy made the call in Aba, during the commissioning of his constituency office and other projects, he has so far attracted to his constituency.
And while appealing for the intervention of the Federal Government in the rebuilding of road infrastructure in Aba, he also sought the support of Yakubu Dogara, speaker, House of Representatives, to speak for the state.
He observed that the state government should not be allowed to carry the burden of rehabilitating Port Harcourt road, which he observed was a huge project for the state to handle alone.
He explained that the projects he has so far attracted to his constituency, was his little contribution to improve the living condition of his constituents.
“It is in consideration of the above that I devoted my intervention to critical areas of service, which includes and not limited to roads, energy, water, sanitation, health and education”.
On energy, he revealed that he attracted 11 units of 500 kva brand new transformers, under the 2016 appropriation, through the Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority.
He however, stated that the number is insignificant considering the number of requests from his constituents and appealed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to help him get more transformers for his constituency.
He affirmed that poor road infrastructure has remained the signature complaint of his constituents, which according to him, was as a result of the neglect of Aba, by past representatives in the State.
In his words, “The condition of roads in Aba was beyond deplorable. I acquired a grader, even before my inauguration as a member of the National Assembly and without sounding immodest, my emergency road rehabilitation scheme has since then done over 168 roads in Aba.
“If the condition of state roads is deplorable, then Federal roads in this area can be described as ‘fantastically deplorable’. The bad condition of these federal roads, not only impede vehicular traffic, but also the movement of goods and services”.
He therefore, pleaded for urgent intervention of the Federal Government on the following roads, Ohanku road to OwerriAba, Urata road to Etche in Rivers State, Osusu road and Opobo road to Azumini.
He stated that the combined length of the roads is about 15 kilometers, which according to him, is insignificant.
He applauded Federal Government’s intervening on Aba-Ikot Epkene-Odukpamni road, but appealed that the contractors, should start the rehabilitation, from Aba axis of the road, rather than Odupkani axis.
This is because of the dilapidation of the Aba axis of the road, which is also a link to Akwa-Ibom and Cross River States.
“Though we are happy that the Aba-Ikot Ekpene-Odukpani road has finally been awarded, by the Federal Government, I am not comfortable with the contractor’s insistence of starting the construction from the Odukpani section of the road.
“We plead that the Speaker should assist us, by ensuring that the work starts from the Aba end of the road that requires more urgent intervention or at best from both ends of the road, simultaneously.
“The Port Harcourt road Aba, which is the gate way into Aba from Port Harcourt, has remained an eyesore, a sad commentary of the inhumanity of our past governments in the state.
Though the state governor has graciously pledged to undertake the reconstruction of that road, which he started few weeks ago, we still seek assistance of the Federal Government, considering the fact that the job is big and beyond the financial confidence of our state to handle.
He thanked the speaker and his colleagues for facilitating the resolution of the House on security of lives and property in Aba, resulting from his motion on the floor of the house regarding the delicate and precarious security situation in Aba, in particular and Abia State in general.
He explained that visit of the House Committee on Army was well received and productive., but regretted that except for the Police, the other security agencies in the state are yet to comply with the House resolution and appealed to the Speaker to use his good offices to ensure total compliance to the resolution, since the security situation is still impaired.
Dogara, who was accompanied to Aba, by some members of the House of Representatives, praised Ossy for his commitment and contributions towards the development of his constituency, State and Country at large.
He described Ossy as a dedicated member, stating that in the midterm report he has performed well.
He is one of our members, whose voices are loud on the floor of the house. “For those of you, who follow the proceedings of the House of Representatives, you can be proud that you have someone as Ossy, representing your constituency.”
He also revealed that Ossy is a leader of an association of parliamentarians, an uncommon feat for a first time member of the House.
“And so that speaks to the point of the representation that Aba North and South enjoys in the House of Representatives.
“I see him as a member that is pregnant with ideas and projects, even though he has started delivering them, but I can assure you that he has not even given birth to a quarter of them”.
Ify Okolue, coordinator, South-East Zone, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), who led a delegation from the Council, applauded Ossy for his efforts at ensuring that he attracts meaningful projects to his constituency and urged him not to relent.
GODFREY OFURUM, Aba
