Residents of Ikwuano Native Authorities Space, Abia State, on Thursday, staged a peaceable protest over the extended delay in finishing the reconstruction of the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Highway, which connects Abia, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states.
The mission, awarded to Heartland Building Firm over 5 years in the past, stays incomplete, with protesters lamenting the hardship endured by street customers.
Addressing journalists in the course of the protest, a resident, Ambrose Jonah, criticised the sluggish tempo of labor and urged the Federal Ministry of Works to expedite motion and supply adequate funding for the contractor.
“This street was meant to be accomplished in three years, however 5 years have handed, and solely about 20 per cent of the work has been accomplished.
“Our attraction to the Federal Authorities is easy: this is a vital trunk street resulting in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, housing two public universities, a non-public college, and a analysis institute. The present state of the street is unacceptable, and instant motion is required earlier than the subsequent wet season,” Jonah mentioned.
One other protester, Rapture Ndubuisi-Ejim, from Ogbuebule Oboro, described the street as a “demise lure,” warning that additional delays might render the street impassable.
“If no vital progress is made this dry season, the street might cut up into two, leaving us with no choice however to fly to our villages. The deplorable state of this street is affecting our financial lives. Transportation prices are skyrocketing, autos are breaking down often, and journey in the course of the wet season is a nightmare,” he mentioned.
Ndubuisi-Ejim additionally accused the Federal Authorities of neglect and urged the Ministry of Works to prioritise the mission. He added, “We’re not asking for a lot; we simply need this street fastened earlier than the rains return.”
In response to the protests, the mission supervisor, Egner Velya, attributed the delay to funding constraints from the Federal Ministry of Works.
“We are able to solely work based mostly on the budgetary approvals from our shoppers. Rising prices of uncooked supplies have necessitated a overview of our contract. From a technical standpoint, it’s attainable to finish the work in a single dry season, however this is determined by the monetary allocations from the ministry,” Velya defined.
He assured the neighborhood that palliative measures can be applied inside per week to make the street motorable in the course of the festive season.
“Our gear might be deployed to repair the worst sections of the street earlier than Christmas. Nevertheless, the state authorities should assist us clear unlawful constructions on the Ihie Ndume axis to allow correct drainage and street enlargement to federal requirements,” he added.
When contacted, the Federal Controller of Works in Abia State, Tony Onwubiko, confirmed that the mission’s progress is determined by funding availability.
“The Federal Authorities is conscious of the state of affairs. As soon as funds are launched, work on the street will resume in full swing,” Onwubiko mentioned.