Residents of Ikwuano Local Government Area in Abia State on Thursday held a peaceful protest demanding the completion of the long-delayed reconstruction of the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road, a critical route connecting Abia, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states.
The project, awarded to Heartland Construction Company over five years ago, remains unfinished, with protesters highlighting the severe hardships endured by road users.
During the protest, a resident, Ambrose Jonah, addressed journalists, condemning the slow progress and urging the Federal Ministry of Works to accelerate the project and ensure sufficient funding for the contractor.
“This road was supposed to be completed in three years, but five years have passed, and only about 20 per cent of the work has been done.
“Our appeal to the Federal Government is straightforward: this is a crucial Trunk A road leading to Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. It serves two public universities, a private university, and a research institute. The current condition of the road is unacceptable, and immediate action is needed before the next rainy season,” Jonah said.
In response to the protests, the construction company’s project manager, Egner Velya, attributed the delay to funding constraints from the Federal Ministry of Works.
“We can only work within the limits of the budgetary approvals from our clients. The rising costs of raw materials have necessitated a contract review. Technically, it is possible to complete the work in one dry season, but this depends on the financial allocations from the ministry,” Velya explained.
He assured the community that temporary repairs would be carried out within a week to make the road passable during the festive season.
