Why Abia Central Needs Rep. Sam Onuigbo Part 6: Road Construction and Erosion Control Works
Perhaps the most ambitious interventions by Rep. Sam Onuigbo which best concretize his political philosophy of being responsive to the legitimate needs and aspirations of his people are his road and erosion control interventions.
This is because when Rep. Onuigbo was elected in 2015, three huge critical and existential issues threatened the people of Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency. One was the total collapse of the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene federal road which at the time was completely impassable. Secondly, at Amankwo Ezeleke, Amachara, Umuopara, in Umuahia South Local Government Area, there was a huge gully erosion which was threatening to displace people and swallow up buildings. Thirdly, a huge gully erosion at the Okwe-Obuohia road in Ikwuano Local Government Area had almost cut the road in half.
Onuigbo therefore began his representation with these urgent problems and a litany of so many other erosion issues on his shoulders. Committed to doing the best he could but more importantly, being relentless in pursuing solutions to the aforementioned issues and many more, Onuigbo was able to do the following:
1. Carry out the rehabilitation of the failed sections of the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene federal road in 2016-2017.
2. Massive erosion control work at Amankwo Ezeleke, Amachara, Umuopara, in Umuahia South LGA. This was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, ably represented by the then Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.
3. Erosion control work at Okwe Oboro, Ikwuano LGA which was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, represented by the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Professor Eyitayo.
4. Erosion control and construction of rural road in Umuecheokwu, Umuovo, Old Umuahia-Amakanma, Umuahia South LGA.
5. Pushing relentlessly for the award and commencement of work for the total reconstruction of the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene federal road. When this was stalled due to paucity of funding, he followed up to ensure that alternative funding means was deployed. The construction of this road, is seriously going on.
6. Engagement with the NNPC and the Ecological Fund Office for action to be taken to address the erosion issue at Umunwanwa. He had earlier moved two motions on this. It is hoped that action will be taken soon.
7. Completion of engineering designs and capture of the Agbor Ibere gully erosion in the Ecological Fund Office Data Bank for further actions.
8. Completion of engineering designs and capture of the Amaegbu village, Ugwuegbe Autonomous Community of Ariam Usaka gully erosion in the Ecological Fund Office Data Bank for further actions.
In addition, Rep. Onuigbo has set in motion the following which are now awaiting to be awarded by the Federal Government:
a. Flyover from Amachara to Ossa at Abia Tower and dualization of the 16km Umuahia-Umudike Road.
b. Federal Secretariat, Abia State, to be located at Ekeoba.
As often stated, what differentiates Rep. Onuigbo from most leaders is that he has his ears to the ground thus his interventions are informed by the voices of his people. This is the type of representation that Abia Central needs at this critical time.
Ugochukwu Uzuegbu