Abia Supervisor for Agric, Agbaeze Writes Gov. Otti, Appeals for Urgent Construction of Nkooro-Oso Edda Road

Abia Supervisor for Agric, Agbaeze Writes Gov. Otti, Appeals for Urgent Construction of Nkooro-Oso Edda Road

By: Celestine Ukah 

The Supervisor for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Ohafia LGA, Abia State, Hon. Nduka Uko Agbaeze, has written to Abia State Governor Alex Chioma Otti, appealing to the state government to urgently handle the construction of the abandoned Nkooro-Oso Edda Road linking Abia to Ebonyi States.

According to Supervisor Agbaeze, the Nkooro-Oso Edda is a strategic interstate rural road that connects Abia State to Ebonyi, Enugu, and Cross River States, from that axis to Cameroon. He added that the economic value of the long-abandoned road to the sister states, Abia and Ebonyi, cannot be overemphasized due to its economic significance.

He stressed that Nkporo Oso-Edda Road, if fixed, will facilitate economic growth between Abia, Ebonyi, and Enugu States. Easy movement of agricultural inputs and outputs will lead to increased productivity and income for farmers and new opportunities for businesses.

The Ohafia LGA Agricultural Supervisor noted that the road will stimulate job creation and potentially enhance urban-rural migration, benefiting the local economy. Enhanced market access will allow farmers and businesses to reach wider markets, increase sales and incomes, promote culture and tourism, as well as boost the rich culture of Abia (especially Nkporo, Abiriba, and Ohafia) and that of Ebonyi (Nguzu, Afaikpo, Akoli, and Oso).

THE OHAFIA LGA SUPERVISOR FOR AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES HON. NDUKA UKO AGBAEZE A LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY DR ALEX CHIOMA OTTI (OFR) THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF ABIA STATE.

Dear Chioma Nde Abia,

PASSIONATE APPEAL TO TAR NKPORO OSO-EDDA ROAD.

Here is the letter as it reads in part thus:

“As a political leader whose humility, accessibility, versatility, and productivity have defied all negative permutations, your grasp of developmental dynamics, as well as your people-oriented disposition, is an inestimable asset for the movement of Abia renewal.

“Dear Dr. Alex Otti, I salute you on your numerous achievements in our dear state. Looking backward over these past two years, from where we are coming from to where we are today, one can boldly say you are a great performer. I applaud your dauntless efforts in making a great impact on the political records of our dear state, especially in the area of infrastructure, payments of workers and pensioners’ salaries, healthcare, security, and keeping Abia neat. Bravo!!

NKPORO OSO-EDDA ROAD:

“May I humbly draw your attention to one of the most important interstate roads that have been abandoned before and after the creation of Abia State. Nkporo Oso-Edda Road is a strategic interstate rural road that links Abia State to Ebonyi, Enugu, and Cross River States, from that axis to Cameroon. The economic value of this long-abandoned road to these sister states, Abia and Ebonyi, cannot be overemphasized due to its economic significance.

“Nkporo Oso-Edda Road, if fixed, will facilitate economic growth between Abia, Ebonyi, and Enugu States. Easy movement of agricultural inputs and outputs will lead to increased productivity and income for farmers and new opportunities for businesses. This important road will stimulate job creation and potentially enhance urban-rural migration, benefiting the local economy. Enhanced market access will allow farmers and businesses to reach wider markets, increase sales and incomes, promote culture and tourism, and it will equally boost the rich culture of Abia (especially Nkporo, Abiriba, and Ohafia) and that of Ebonyi (Nguzu, Afaikpo, Akoli, and Oso).

HISTORY OF THIS IMPORTANT ROAD

“In 1954, His Holiness, Chief K.O. Onyioha, declared a civil disobedience against the British colonial authorities over the neglect of this vital road, which would, in no small measure, have boosted the economy of Nkporo clan, Ohafia, Abiriba, and Abia State at large. The colonial authorities promised to remedy the situation but failed.

“On 29 June 1965, the great premier of the Eastern Region, distinguished Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara, in another epoch-making event, visited Nkporo and declared with cheers and fanfare that this important road was to be reconstructed immediately. Yet nothing was done.

“In 1981, His Excellency Chief Sam Mbakwe visited Nkporo at the instance of our illustrious son, Honourable Barrister U.O. Agwu, and again promised to tar this important rural interstate road; his promise was not kept.

“In 1988, the military administrator, Commodore Amadi Ikwechegh, was appalled by the condition of this road and promised to fix it; this was another failed promise.

“On April 14, 2004, the Ezeigbo Gburugburu, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, came to Nkporo and was surprised that this important road was not tarred. He promised to use his respected contacts to speak to the relevant authorities for urgent action on the road; up till now, nothing has been done.

“In 1992, Chief Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the first executive governor of Abia State, was using the road every weekend from Umuahia to his village Amenu at Uburu. He made an unfulfilled promise that he would tar this road in the presence of his speaker, Rt. Hon. Prince Arua Arunsi (OFR), the first speaker of Abia State.

“In 2012, His Excellency Chief Dr. T.A. Orji (Ochendo) reaffirmed his commitment to better Abia and promised to fix this economic road to improve trade and commerce between Nde Abia and Ebonyi State. Yet nothing was done.

“In 2020, the good people of Nkporo, led by our great son His Excellency Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu, drew the attention of the executive governor of Abia State, His Excellency Chief Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, to link this very road to Ebonyi State, which will boost the economy of Nde Abia; all efforts made proved abortive.

“Thank you, as I anticipate your immediate action on that road.”

Yours faithfully,

Hon. Omeziri Nnaya Nduka Agbaeze
Supervisor for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ohafia LGA, Abia State.