The Abia State Government says it is intensifying efforts towards creating access roads that would link the three senatorial zones of the state as part of its integrated plan for developing the state, promote agriculture and boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). These, it said, would include rural roads that would connect communities, especially those with agricultural prospects, for easy evacuation of agricultural produce.

Commissioner for Works, Eziuche Ubani, disclosed this while inspecting some roads in Bende Local Government Area prior to their flag-off by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. He said the measure would also attract investors who are willing to go into agriculture.

The roads inspected include the Apanu-Ameke-Amokwe Rubber Item ring road, Lohum-Lodu-Nkpa ring road, Umuimenyi ring road and Okwoyi-Ozuitem road, among others.

Ubani noted with delight that communities linked by these roads have large arable land and agricultural potentials, pointing out that the state Governor was eager to open up such areas.

“We are trying to connect communities, particularly areas where we have the prospect for people to invest in agriculture. But you can’t do that except people have access roads. If we open up this place, connect Item to Igbere, people can come here to invest but if there are no access roads, nobody is going to put his money down,” he said.

The commissioner emphasised that the priority of the state government was to provide durable access roads in all zones of the state since Governor Ikpeazu has the responsibility to cater for every part of the state.

According to him, Governor Ikpeazu is desirous of ensuring that democracy dividends are extended to the down-trodden and to make it easier for them to boost the economy of the state through agriculture.

He explained also that move was part of efforts by government to boost the IGR of the state through enhanced economic activities at the grassroots through agriculture.

Ubani assured that Ikpeazu would soon flag-off construction of the roads that were inspected after the technical details have been worked out, adding that they would be realised under the present administration.

The commissioner, who was accompanied on the inspection visit by his ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Elder Richard Nwala, and Secretary to the State Government, Dr Eme Okoro, called on Bende people to support Ikpeazu’s administration in its effort to make life easier for citizens of the state.

In his remarks while conducting the commissioner round the roads in Item, Deputy Speaker of Abia House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe, expressed happiness that Governor Ikpeazu is fulfilling his campaign promises to Bende people and expressed optimism that he will deliver on the roads.

Also, the immediate past Majority Leader of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Princewill Onyegbu, and Ambassador Endurance Philips, described the state government’s presence in Nkpa as timely and commendable as the road has been abandoned for long. They assured that Bende people would continue to support and reciprocate the governor’s gesture.

•Photo shows Abia Works Commissioner, Eziuche Ubani.

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