Abia Govt Reveals Where $56m Project Facility From World Bank Is

The Abia State government has revealed that the World Bank project facility of $56million to the state is domiciled in a separate account and cannot be independently accessed by the state government as it is meant for all World Bank-related projects in the State since 2016.

The projects include Umuagu – Isingwu, Umuezegu Isiala Ngwa, Nsulu and the Ndiegoro flood challenges to be executed through NEWMAP.

This is even as the government reiterates its commitment towards completing Ngwa, Obohia, Ohanku, and Port Harcourt Roads as well as properly channelling the Umuagbai pond to control flooding of the areas.

READ ALSO: Infrastructure: Abia Assembly Minority Leader Chukwu Urges State Govt To Address Issues Raised By Hon. Ichita

The Abia State Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu who stated these on Tuesday in a chat with newsmen said the Ndiegoro flood mediation project signed in April 2020 had the site handed over to the contractors on the 6th of June, 2020, but could not start immediately due to the global lockdown necessitated by Covid-19 and the ENDSARS saga, until January 2021.

According to the Commissioner, Governor Ikpeazu since assumption of office in 2015 has made steady progress in saving the state especially Aba from the ugly incidents of flood disaster through the construction of concrete drainage systems on the roads built by his administration, partial dredging of Waterside for the collection of storm water in the city.

He said the governor approached the World Bank through NEWMAP on Ndiegoro flooding challenge which according to him was why Late Sam Mbakwe wept publicly in 1982, and had not been attended to by any past administration except now.

He noted that construction of drainages is in progress at Ngwa Road up to the Good Morning market while the asphalt work will start immediately the rainy season abates assuring that the road will be delivered before the end of this year.

He also assured that Port Harcourt Road which is a state government project will be completed before the end of Governor Ikpeazu’s administration and called on residents to be patient as work will recommence after the rains.

The Abia information boss further explained that the State House of Assembly has no resolution on the $56million of the World Bank and that the state government cannot interfere with the oversight functions of the legislators who have also visited the Ndiegoro project sites in Aba and expressed satisfaction with the level of work which he said started in January 2021.

He urged residents of the affected areas to be patient as works progress in those vicinities and condemned in strong terms the politically motivated incitement of the people against the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu-led administration by a certain state legislator emphasising that the government has shown greater commitment in rebuilding the infrastructural deficit in Aba South State Constituency and other parts of the State.

He challenged the lawmaker who represents Aba South State Constituency at the Abia State House of Assembly to put aside party differences and show genuine concern in the ongoing projects in the Constituency and seek clarifications with the state Chief Executive or other relevant government functionaries involved in the project implementation. He referred to Echefu, Onyebuchi, Ibere, Osusu and some others as roads Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has built in Aba South LGA. He also confirmed that Omuma Road is expected to be completed in the first quarter of next year.

Kalu however appealed to the residents of Aba to complement the efforts of government by keeping their surrounding gutters clean so as not to be adversely affected by the recent warning from NIMET that mentioned Abia as one of the 34 states that will experience flash floods in the coming days.