ABIA STATE GOVT BEGINS RECONSTRUCTION OF OWERRINTA —UMUIKAA ROAD
REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has thanked the federal government for granting the request of the state to embark on the reconstruction and expansion of federal roads in the state.
The Governor made the commendation at the formal official commencement of the reconstruction and dualization of the 5.5km Owerrinta -Umuikaa road in Isiangwa North Local government area.
Governor Otti said the road when completed, apart from the aesthetics, would become lifesaving initiative that would reduce accidents and heavy traffic usually experienced by motorists moving to catch up with their flights at Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport.
He also pointed out that the road would be a major boost to the South East economic integration project, enable smooth flow of inter -state trade through cost effective transportation of people and trade.
According to Governor Otti, plans are on to site the Abia medical city project which will commence within the year along the corridor of the road.
The Governor noted the efforts of the government fixing roads would boost the Osisioma industrial cluster and set the tune for industrialization of the greater Umunnato economic zone and urge investors to take advantage of the measures.
He called on the people to support government in raising the 120 billion naira IGR projection for the year through regular payment of individual taxes.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Otunchere Oti, said the road expansion has a width of 7.3 metres with one metre inner shoulder and 2.7metres outer shoulder.
The Works Commissioner stated that the pavement consists 200 millimeter approved thick laterite softbase, 60 millimeter thick asphaltic concrete binder course and 40 millimeter thick asphaltic wiring course, among others.
He appealed to the host communities to cooperate with the contractors for smooth execution of the project according to specifications and within the 12 months of schedule.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
