By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA – A member of the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Rep. Sam Onuigbo, has dismissed claims by senior lawyer Monday Ubani, SAN, that the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene federal highway has been abandoned.

Onuigbo addressed these allegations during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday. He criticised Ubani’s petition to President Bola Tinubu dated 7 April 2025, which claimed the Trunk A road linking Abia and Akwa Ibom states was impassable due to neglected construction.

Onuigbo described Ubani’s claims as false, revealing that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved an additional £14.37 billion on 3 February 2025 to continue the project.

He reported progress, including the completion of 8.42 kilometres of severely damaged sections since June 2023, along with 4.47 kilometres of concrete works and drainage. In the first quarter of 2025, an additional 880 metres of asphalt binder, 3.22 kilometres of wearing course, and 1.53 kilometres of concrete drains were finished.

“Ubani’s suggestion of abandonment, just two months after FEC approval, is misleading and ignores the significant progress made despite logistical and environmental challenges,” Onuigbo stated.

He accused Ubani of political motives, noting that the lawyer had made similar false allegations in 2021 and 2023. Onuigbo suggested that Ubani’s focus on the project was an attempt to gain political advantage.

He reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to infrastructure development under the Renewed Hope Agenda, urging stakeholders to dismiss Ubani’s claims.

Onuigbo called for accurate progress reports from the Federal Ministry of Works, emphasising that the road project remains on track despite challenges.

“We encourage stakeholders to ignore false narratives aimed at discrediting the Tinubu administration. The project is progressing, and no amount of negative rhetoric will hinder its success,” Onuigbo declared.