The Abia state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has finally explained the challenges facing the construction of first Aba inter-change flyover.
This is following criticisms that have trailed the non completion of Osisioma flyover. Gov Ikpeazu, speaking to newsmen, revealed that the cost of bridge construction differs from one geographical location to another.
According to Mr Ikpeazu, in Ebonyi, the Governor only needs to do a stanchion for a flyover while in Abia, he will do 25 metres before he can erect a stanchion, which is almost the cost of three.
“The other thing that people don’t know is that what it takes to do a flyover in Lagos is different from what it takes to do a flyover in Zamfara. Even as close as I am, in terms of geography to Ebonyi; Ebonyi will do stanchion for a flyover. But I will do 25 metres before I can erect a stanchion, which is almost the cost of three. But my brother and friend in Ebonyi can do three flyovers with what it will cost me to do one. But that’s where I have found myself. Geography defines us as a people” he said.
Governor Ikpeazu also emphasized that all the access roads in Aba are courtesy of his hard work since he came on board in 2015.
He said, “Today, I can say that all the access roads you have into Aba are courtesy of our hard work between 2015 and now. Tonimas is accessible, Fox Road is accessible from both ends, despite the fact that Setraco is yet to hand over the road to us because they still have one or two things to do.
“I understand that some parts have developed a problem because there is an intersection leading to another road, leading to Osusu Road, which is a road that one of my predecessors in office commissioned three times, and yet when I went to start work on the road, I met a plantain tree in the middle of it.
“We are taking time to do the drainage on the road, but my joy is that whenever I take a stroll around there, I see old women praying for me and saying that with what they have seen already, they are sure the road I’m giving them will not collapse in their lifetime.
“We introduced rigid pavement technology in the South East. The Osisioma Junction that used to be a problem, we are doing 12-inch concrete with BRC, that is why in some of my billboards you see, “Ikpeazu: Building to Last.”
“But I know the sentiments of our people. When RGC came to do Aba, the most popular leader in our recent history is Sam Mbakwe. Our people love him so much. But he suffered some of the flaks I’m suffering now, because he brought RCC to do drainages and Aba people got so impatient that they started calling RCC rice, gari and and one other thing.
“RGC left and MCC came, but all the drainages that were constructed by RCC has lasted more than any other done by other companies. After Mbakwe, nobody has done the kind of drainages we are doing. Those who are technically minded know that it costs more to do drainage than to do roads”.
