Gov. Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom, on Friday inaugurated the 9.3 kilometer Osokwa-Aro-Umuejie road in Aro-Umuejie community in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the road links Abia to Akwa Ibom.
Inaugurating the road, Udom said that adequate planning in governance “is the oil that galvanises the wheel of sustainable development”.
He said that evolving effective strategies was an effective way to achieving socio-economic advancement, adding that, it would go a long way to improve the wellbeing of the citizens.
Udom said: “When I came into power I constructed a 160 meters road from Akwa Ibom to link Abia and today a road that will enable people to access Akwa Ibom with ease has been constructed by Abia government.
“This shows that Akwa Ibom and Abia are partners in progress and we are building bridges to boost socio-economic development in both states,” he said.
He urged state governments to remain focused on its development agenda and refused to be distracted by naysayers.
In his speech, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia said that the new road cut across Osisioma and Isiala Ngwa South LGAs as well as served as a link road to Akwa Ibom.
Ikpeazu said that the road had significant economic importance and would serve as an access road that would ventilate the city of Aba.
He expressed confidence that the road would enhance the relationship between Abia and Akwa Ibom and yield economic advancement for both states.
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The governor prayed that the people of Abia would find peace and prosperity as they ply the newly constructed road.
In his remark, Mr Bob Ogu, the immediate past Abia Commissioner for Works, said that the road had a lifespan of at least 10 years.
Ogu said that the road had contributed immensely to the promotion of rural development as the area had recorded an increase in economic activities.
Mr Ikechukwu Anyatonwu, Chairman of Isiala Ngwa South LGA, said that the road was an evidence of the government’s commitment to delivering democracy dividend.
Anyatonwu said “today is a happy day and this road will serve as an alternative link route for motorists and commuters.”
Earlier, Chief Kingsley Mgbeahuru, a representative of Osokwa Community, said that the people of Osisioma LGA were delighted by the development.
Mgbeahuru commended the state government for building lasting road infrastructure that had opened the area to development.