By Chijindu Emeruwa
Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Concerned Abia citizen, Dr Monday Ubani has adduced the rationale behind his recent petition to Nigerian Presidency concerning the state of umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene federal road project awarded to Hartland Company for reconstruction.
This comes in response to a recent verbal attack on the senior lawyer by the former federal lawmaker, Sam Onuigbo over alleged abandonment of umuahia-ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene road reconstruction work by the contractor by the latter.
Mr Onuigbo accused Ubani of peddling misleading information about the state of the road project.
In his reaction on Sunday in a statement, Dr Ubani insisted that his unwavering advocacy for the completion of the Ikwuano/Ikot Ekpene federal road project is not motivated by a selfish political agenda or political vendetta.
He explained that his constitent advocacy for the road infrastructural project is genuinely driven by his desire to ensure his people enjoy the basic dividends of democracy, and also ensure Ikwuano local area of Abia state is connected by a good road for the benefit of all,
According to him, “I have deliberately maintained a dignified silence on the state of this road project for a long time, trusting that those who facilitated the award of the contract and the contractor, Hartland Company, would do the needful. Unfortunately, what we have received instead are endless excuses and minimal progress since the project commenced in 2019.
“My people will recall that I vowed that this particular project would not suffer the fate of previous abandoned road contracts in our area. I pledged to pursue its completion vigorously, and that is precisely what I am doing. I shall not be deterred by name-calling, blackmail, or political distractions.
“What triggered my recent public intervention was a disturbing report I received from the President General of Awomukwu and the Mayor of Ikwuano, both of whom I encouraged to engage with Hartland Company for a firsthand update on the project status. According to them, and this can be independently verified, the company stated clearly that their construction works would not extend to Ekebedi, Awomukwu, and Ariam communities. They claimed they had only a few more kilometers left before terminating the project, and advised that local leaders should “speak out” if those communities hoped to benefit. This revelation was both heartbreaking and unacceptable.
“First, the pace and quality of the current work are grossly inadequate. Second, to now learn that entire communities may be excluded from the scope of the contract has left me no choice but to take decisive action. I have consequently prepared a formal petition to the Senate Committee on Public Petitions to summon the contractor and their alleged backers to explain to the people of Ikwuano the cause of this delay and the exclusion of critical areas from the project.
“We have also learned that the Federal Executive Council recently approved additional funding for this road. If so, where is the contractor? Why is the pace still alarmingly slow? What happened to the NNPC funds previously announced? How much has been expended so far, and can the work done justify the billions reportedly allocated?
“It is worrisome that Hartland has maintained a conspicuous silence, leaving Hon. Sam Onuigbo, who claims credit for attracting the contract, to speak for them. With due respect, my brother Hon. Onuigbo must understand that this project is not about him; it is about the people of Ikwuano. It is not a matter of political relevance, it is a matter of life, development, and access for our people.
“I am not in any contest with anyone. I, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN, simply want a functional, durable road from Umuahia to Ikot Ekpene, one that benefits every village along the corridor, including mine. My happiness will be complete the day it takes me just 25 minutes to drive from Umuahia to Awomukwu. That is the future I envision, and that is what I am fighting for.
“Therefore, I respectfully urge Hon. Onuigbo, as the self-appointed spokesman of the contractor, to give the people of Ikwuano regular and transparent updates on the project. That would help end these unnecessary confrontations and reassure our people of the sincerity of the entire effort.
“May God judge everyone involved in this matter according to the purity, or otherwise, of their intentions.
“We demand a clear timeline: When will Hartland resume full work? When will the entire stretch from Umuahia to Ikot Ekpene be completed without omitting any Ikwuano community,”Ubani asked.
