Rep. Benjamin Kalu (Member, Representing Bende Federal Constituency) has thanked the Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, following news that rehabilitation and construction on the Umuahia-Bende-Ohafia Road (LOT2) in Abia State has finally been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The approval, announced today during the FEC meeting, is for the rehabilitation to commence from the Umuahia axis of the road.
In a statement to correspondents, a very elated Rep. Kalu thanked Minister Fashola for his listening ear, consideration and support over the last one year regarding the approval and repair of the Bende-Ohafia road.
“I thank the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola for taking this project as his own over the last one year. The people of Bende have suffered greatly as a result of the severe dilapidation of the Umuahia-Bende-Ohafia road.
“I am very impressed with the excellence demonstrated by the people at the Ministry of Works during my engagements with them for this federal government intervention.
“I particularly appreciate the Federal Executive Council, the Ministry of Works Permanent Secretary, the former acting permanent secretary Engr. Yemi, the Director of Works – South-East highways Eng. Funso Adebiyi, as well as the staff at the Abia state office of the Ministry who worked diligently during the measurement and design of the road.
“I also congratulate the contractor- Hartland Construction, and am hopeful that they will be funded immediately to commence work from the Umuahia axis having secured this approval”.
Rep. Kalu expressed hopes that economic activities in his constituency would enjoy a boost upon completion of the project.
Drum Africa Correspondents also witnessed a congratulatory phone call from the Honourable Minister of State for Mines and Steel, who phoned in to congratulate Rep. Kalu on the giant stride. They both agreed that Fashola is doing a great job, describing him as a public servant with unique qualities worthy of emulation and as one who is committed to rehabilitating the infrastructures around the nation both in urban and rural areas- which Bende Federal Constituency falls under.
The honourable minister who equally spoke to the Rep immediately after the FEC meeting assured him of more efforts to fund the project adding that he should be expectant for the Bende-Itumbauzo-Akwa Ibom road.
