FMW Official clarifies status of Umuahia–Ikwuano–Ikot Ekpene highway project

Residents of the Ikwuano and Umuahia Federal Constituency in Abia State have commended the Federal Government for the ongoing work on the Umuahia–Ikwuano–Ikot Ekpene highway. An official of the Federal Ministry of Works in Abia State, Chidi Uwaeziozi, also provided clarification on the status of the federal road project. According to Uwaeziozi, the highway remains […]

Residents of the Ikwuano and Umuahia Federal Constituency in Abia State have commended the Federal Government for the ongoing work on the Umuahia–Ikwuano–Ikot Ekpene highway.

An official of the Federal Ministry of Works in Abia State, Chidi Uwaeziozi, also provided clarification on the status of the federal road project.

According to Uwaeziozi, the highway remains a Trunk ‘A’ federal road currently being executed by the Federal Government, while the contract for the project was restructured to accelerate its completion.

He explained that the project was divided into two phases, with Phase One continuing under the supervision of the Federal Government.

Uwaeziozi said the first phase of the project is being handled by Hartland Construction Company, adding that work on that section is approaching completion.

“The original contractor remains on site because Phase One of the project, which is under the Federal Government, has about 1.5 kilometres left to be completed,” he said.

He noted that the contractor is expected to complete the remaining section before concluding its work on the project.

Uwaeziozi also stated that the road rehabilitation project has been ongoing for several years and forms part of federal infrastructure development in the region.

According to him, the project linking Umuahia in Abia State and Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State had earlier received attention through legislative intervention in 2016.

He said the project was facilitated through the efforts of former member of the House of Representatives, Sam Onuigbo, who represented the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency at the time.

“The project was originally attracted through the efforts of former lawmaker Sam Onuigbo, whose intervention helped draw federal attention to the rehabilitation of the highway,” he said.

The road project is being carried out under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Works, with significant portions of the highway already rehabilitated.

Meanwhile, Onuigbo welcomed ongoing work on the road and expressed appreciation to the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu for efforts to ensure continued progress on the project.

He also noted the importance of collaboration among different levels of government in advancing infrastructure development.

The Umuahia–Ikwuano–Ikot Ekpene road serves as a major interstate route connecting communities in Abia and Akwa Ibom states, and its rehabilitation is expected to improve transportation and economic activities in the area.