Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has promised that his administration will reconstruct and commission a minimum of 50 roads at Aba with a flyover at Osisioma roundabout before 2019.

A statement issued on Tuesday in Umuahia by his Chief Press Secretary, Enyinnaya Appolos, said the governor made the pledge during the men fellowship of Assemblies of God Church with the theme: “Aba Mega Fellowship” at Ukaegbu Road Aba, after being honoured for outstanding performance and reconstruction of Ukaegbu Road.

Also, to ease the pains experienced by commuters traveling to Akwa Ibom and Cross River states due to the deplorable state of the Aba-Ikot Ekpene Highway, which is a federal road, Governor Ikpeazu promised that his government will construct a 7.5km alternative access road to link the Akwa Ibom state end of the highway before the end of the coming dry season.

He stressed that Abia State will continue ongoing negotiation with the federal Government on how to fix the dilapidated and deplorable Aba-Ikot Ekpene highway.

The Governor also stated that he would have loved to do much more than he has done so far, if not for the distractions and political upheavals caused by the unnecessary and conspiratorial court actions against him. He promised the members of the Church and Abians that he will continue to stand as a vendor of hope for the common man through rendering of quality services.

Governor Ikpeazu thanked the church for honoring him and pledged not to disappoint Abians and residents.

In an address read by Rev Okechukwu Ulu, on behalf of the Aba North district Men's Ministries of Assemblies of God Church, the fellowship expressed appreciation to the Governor for his commitment and efforts to rewrite the road infrastructure story of Aba. According to him, "this address will not be complete if we fail to recognise and appreciate our Chief Executive Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, on his untiring effort in revolutionising the state particularly in the area of road construction at Aba. Some abandoned and impassable roads have become a delight to behold. Ukaegbu road where this Programme is holding is an example. This is in spite of the many distractions on your (Governor's) way. We know that tough time never last, but tough people do.”

Also speaking, the Superintendent for Aba North district of the Assemblies of God church, Rev P.K. Emeaba, assured the Governor that the church in Abia State is praying for him to overcome the distractions and focus on executing more great projects for the people. According to him, “the God who enthroned you as Governor is still on the throne, so your tenure as governor of Abia State will not be cut short. The saints are praying for you and we know that wherever God has an investment, His eyes are there. Our Governor, you are God’s investment, so God is watching over you. Heaven cannot and will not abandon his own. I want you to rest in the assurance that you’re a heavenly property, you’re God’s representative and heavenly ambassador, so heaven will not abandon you.”

It will be recalled that Ukaegbu road is among the four roads that the Governor flagged off on his first day at work after his swearing in ceremony on the 29th of May 2016. The reconstruction was completed last year alongside Umuola and Ehere roads, all in the Ogbor Hill area of Aba.

Governor Ikpeazu has so far commissioned 17 of 28 roads started by his administration at Aba since he took over as Governor of Abia State.

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