By Mephy James
A Governing Board Member and Chairman, Committee on Security, Climate Change, and Special Interventions, of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Hon. Sam Onuigbo has commended the Federal Government for the ongoing reconstruction of a bridge on Imo River, 54 years after the end of the civil war
The former bridge on the River was destroyed during the three-year civil war which ended in 1970.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Umuahia yesterday, the former National Assembly member who represented Ikwuano/Umuahia North and Umuahia South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives also lauded the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration for the progress in Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene Road reconstruction project which he noted would boost the economic development of Abia and Ákwá Ibom States as well as the nation.
According to Onuigbo, President Tinubu “deserves commendation” because these are projects awarded under President Muhammad Buhari.”
In his words: The Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene Federal Road that I facilitated is ongoing at a very good pace. And the road project from Achingalli through Umunwanwa to Ubakala is also ongoing. They are even constructing a bridge across Imo River and these were things that were destroyed during the Civil War.
The former lawmaker who sponsored Nigeria’s Climate Change Act 2021 expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on the projects stressing that President Tinubu is committed to the development of every part of the country.
“ I am not only excited about the pace of work on these projects and the economic and social benefits for the people of Abia State, I am also happy because of the road that links Abia with Imo State is receiving attention” he said
He also speaks on the Skill Acquisition Centre at Ubakala in Umuahia South local government area and the Federal Secretariat projects that he facilitated as a National Assembly member.
The Climate Change Advocate disclosed that the skills centre has reached 85 percent completion while perimeter fencing of the Federal Secretariat complex for Abia State has commenced.
Onuigbo expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and Gov. Alex Otti for their commitments to the construction of a Federal Secretariat in Umuahia.
According to him, the project initially suffered a setback because the Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu-led administration refused to pay for the economic trees on the site
He however revealed that unlike his predecessor Governor Otti has “shown willingness” to cooperate with the Federal Government to realise the project”
The former lawmaker also spoke about NEDC He said the North East which constitutes one-third of Nigeria’s land mass has been devastated by insurgency, stressing that the commission has produced a master plan which has been adopted for the rebuilding of the zone. The states in the zone are Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States.
Onuigbo disclosed further that the benefits of the Commission’s interventionist activities would not be enjoyed by only the indigenes of the six states that make up the North East zone but all Nigerians resident in the area.
“Devastation of North East was not selective. Other Nigerians living in the area were also affected,” he said, adding that whatever the NEDC was doing to rebuild the zone was for the benefit of all Nigerians.
Onuigbo who was recognized as one of the Global Leaders on Climate Change 2023 said the Federal Government should be commended for its efforts to rebuild the zone.
In his words: “I want to commend the Federal Government for its efforts at tackling insurgency.. The mood in the past has changed and development is taking place now,”
It would be recalled that in 2023, Hon. Sam Onuigbo was inducted into the NASS Hall of Fame of The Most Valuable Parliamentarians out of 469 National Assembly members
