By Samuel Vincent
Nigeria’s House of Representatives spokesman, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, has commended Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) approval of the construction of Umuahia-Bende-Ohafia road (LOT 2) in Abia State, describing it as the “biggest intervention.”
In a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday, Kalu expressed appreciation to President Muhammad Buhari and Mr. Babatunde Fashola, for such wonderful intervention, saying it would boost the economic fortunes of the people in the area.
FEC had during its weekly meeting approved the sum of N12.08bn for the rehabilitation work, which will commence from Umuahia and span 45km.
The approval, it was gathered, came after months of intense lobbying and frequent advocacy visits to the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, by Rep. Kalu, who is currently representing Bende Federal Constituency at the Green Chamber.
According to the statement, Rep. Kalu specifically thanked Fashola for his listening ear, consideration and support over the last one year regarding the approval and repair of the Bende-Ohafia road.
“I thank President Muhammadu Buhari and the entire Federal Executive Council for acknowledging our request for federal intervention in the Umuahia-Bende-Ohafia road and approving the rehabilitation and construction of the road which had been abandoned since its construction in 1976.
“The people of Bende have suffered greatly as a result of the severe dilapidation of the road; therefore, FEC’s approval of the project is concrete proof that this particular administration is genuine about stopping infrastructure decay in the country.
“I especially thank the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, for his cooperation and for taking this project as his own over the last one year. I appreciate his passionate presentation of the case of my people at the FEC meeting yesterday and must also acknowledge the Honourable Minister of State, Mines and Steel, Dr. Uche Ogah for lending his voice in support of this project at the FEC meeting” the statement read in part.
