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Kalu, Otti commend President Buhari, FG for N12b Ohafia-Arochukwu road
BY NDUBUISI UWAEZU
Former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu and a former gubernatorial candidate in the state, Dr Alex Otti, have both commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government for approving the reconstruction of section two of Ohafia to Arochukwu road in Abia North Senatorial District.
While Kalu who currently represents Abia North Senatorial zone, made his commendation in a statement he issued on Thursday in Abuja, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Otti, a renowned economist, spoke with RELIABLESOURCENG.COM.
“This is a welcome development,” said Otti, also an accomplished former bank chief executive, of the N12 billion road project.
He elaborated: “You know that, the Ohafia-Arochukwu road had been a nightmare to road users in the state. It is a strategic road traversing many towns and villages and had been terrible in the last several years.
“We implore the Federal Government to ensure that the project is done qualitatively in the shortest time possible. We thank the Federal Government and more so, President Buhari, for the approval of the project.”
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved N12 billion for the road reconstruction project.
Kalu, the Chief Whip of the Senate, expressed his appreciation to President Buhari for what he referred to as a great favour to the people of Abia North.
He said getting the road approved has increased his fulfilment as a representative of the people, adding that it would “breath life’’ into the economy and livelihood of Ohafia and Arochukwu.
He commended the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan and Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila who he said demonstrated relentless efforts and worked hand in hand with him to capture the road in the appropriation process.
READ: Northern group accuses Osinbajo of frustrating projects meant for the North
The two-term former governor extended gratitude to the Chairman Senate Committee on Works, Sen. Adamu Aliero; Managing Director, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Mr Uche Orji; Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Abubakar Aliyu and the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Interior Georgina Ehuriah for their relentless efforts in actualising this dream.
He also expressed appreciation to the Abia All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that the stakeholders worked as a team towards the project.
He further commended Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives and member representing Isuikwuato /Umunneochi Federal Constituency, Nkeiru Onyejiocha and the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uche Ogah.
Others are member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, Uko Nkole and member representing Bende Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, for their commitment and assistance in facilitating the road approval
He said: “I, on behalf of the good people of Abia North Senatorial zone and Abia State, do express sincere appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari, for this great favour to the people of Abia North.
“I am deeply excited because the completion of the road would improve the quality of life of our constituents by easing the stress, they currently face commuting the road especially Arochukwu road.”
The chief whip believes that when completed, the road being a strong economic artery of Abia North Senatorial zone, would reduce the hardship that daily confronts commuters.