Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa, the member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, has initiated and inspected palliative works on the heavily damaged Nmuri Hill Road in Ebem Ohafia, Abia State.
Speaking with ABN TV during the visit, he detailed his efforts in addressing the long-standing challenges posed by the road’s poor condition.
Describing the initiative, Hon. Osonwa expressed regret over the tragic state of the road, worsened by years of neglect and delayed intervention by contractors. He revealed that his intervention followed a series of incidents, including a recent tragedy in December 2024 that claimed multiple lives due to the road’s deplorable condition.
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“This road has been a nightmare for years. Over the Christmas holidays, I witnessed firsthand the difficulties our people endure here. While we await a lasting solution from the federal government, we’ve undertaken these palliative measures to temporarily ease movement,” Hon. Osonwa said.
The lawmaker explained that despite concerted efforts, including written communications to the contractors since July 2024, no tangible progress has been made. He highlighted bureaucratic delays, claims of unpaid funds by the contractors, and the lack of accountability in the project, which was awarded years ago but remains incomplete.
“To date, the contractors claim they are owed significant sums for work already done, but they’ve failed to justify the expenditure. Meanwhile, our people continue to suffer,” he lamented.
The palliative work involves leveling and filling critical road sections to ensure temporary usability. According to Hon. Osonwa, materials, including sand and stones, were delivered to stabilize eroded sections. However, he acknowledged that the repairs are short-term and may deteriorate during the next rainy season if comprehensive rehabilitation is not undertaken.
“Our intervention is far from perfect, but it’s the best we can do under the circumstances. Without a proper reconstruction by the contractors, this road will continue to be a risk to lives and property,” he said.
Hon. Osonwa extended his condolences to families who lost loved ones in recent accidents on the road. He criticized the government’s slow response and urged both the federal authorities and the contractors to prioritize the completion of the project.
“Sending condolence messages after every tragedy is not enough. We must act decisively to prevent further loss of lives. I will continue to advocate strongly for this project in the House of Representatives,” he assured.
Earlier, the Paramount Ruler of Ebem Ohafia, HRH Eze Ukoha Kalu Ukoha (JP), decried the state of the road following the December 22 accident at Ugwuokoro. He emphasized that the tragedy could have been avoided with timely maintenance, calling on the government to prioritize action over rhetoric.
The monarch criticized the abandonment of the road, initially a well-constructed federal project, after contractors left it in disrepair. “The people don’t want condolences. They want action. The safety of the people should be a priority for leaders at all levels,” Eze Ukoha stated.
Hon. Osonwa reiterated his commitment to ensuring a lasting solution, promising to intensify efforts to hold contractors accountable and secure federal support for the road’s rehabilitation. He expressed optimism that with sustained advocacy, the project would receive the attention it urgently deserves.
ABN TV will continue to monitor developments on the Nmuri Hill Road project and its impact on the people of Ohafia and surrounding communities.
