COMMISSIONER FOR WORKS ABIA STATE INSPECTS EROSION GULLIES AND ARIAM USAKA RING ROAD

After a series of persistent individual and collective efforts driven and coordinated by the Executive Mayor of Ikwuano LGA, Dr Anthony N. Nwaubani, over the life-threatening erosion gully sites in Ariam Usaka Clan and on the long abandoned and much talked about Ariam Usaka Ring Road, the story is about to end in praise.

This is because, today June 04 June 2025, the Hon Commissioner for Works, Engr Don Otomchere Otti led by the Executive Mayor of Ikwuano, Dr. Anthony N. Nwaubani, and on the directive of the project-driven governor of Abia State, HE Dr. Alex Chioma Otti OFR inspected three major life-threatening erosion gully sites in Ugwuegbu and Amaegbu and the Ariam Usaka Ring Road. From the Office of the Mayor were his Chief of Staff, Dr Chris Aboajah, Pastor Tony Echefu – PA on Special Duties, Franklyn Ugboaja – photographer/ videographer of the Mayor’s Media Team, Lucky Nwamuo- Works Supervisor and Egeonu Kingsley- PA on Political Affairs. The Hon Commissioner accompanied by his Team members, took the pain to walk around the gullies and with full inspection. He was surrounded by many enthusiastic leaders of the various communities and the Ariam Usaka Stakeholders such as Hon Chief Charles Ugboaja – the President General of the Clan, Patron Chinedum Umebali
Chief Iheanacho Melody, and Mr Nicholas among others. The four Royal Fathers who were contacted by phone:- HRH Eze Onwualimba( Ariam), HRH Eze Obaji ( Agumba/Ekwelu), HRH Eze Nwosu ( Usaka Ukwu) and HRH Eze Nwagwu (Ugwuegbu/Obugwu) expressed overwhelming joy over the inspection and thanked HE, the Governor for coming to the aid of the good people of Ariam Usaka Clan. They equally appreciated the persistent efforts of Dr Anthony Nwaubani the Mayor of Ikwuano while equally commending Chief Charles Ugboaja and others that helped in one way or the other. They expressed founded optimism that both the Erosion Gullies and the Ring road would be fixed this time.

The commissioner who was visibly moved by the extent the gullies have cut the road and the communities making it extremely difficult for social and business interactions, sympathized with the residents who have fully taken the brunt of the ugly situation.

Addressing the residents and stakeholders, the Hon Commissioner made it clear, that HE Dr Alex Otti being touched by the suffering of the good people of Ariam Usaka Clan directed that he the Commissioner must come by himself to see things by himself. He disclosed that HE, the Governor desires that every community in the State must be accessible and gave the good people of Ariam Usaka the assurance that his Ministry would “arrest” the situation. In his words “It can be arrested”.

One of the buildings under direct threat of the Ugwuegbu gully is a story building belonging to Dr/ Bishop Oturu- one of the prominent, oldest, and highly respected leaders of the Clan.

The direct access road to the Ugwuegbu/ Obugwu is the road from Umuahia/ Ikot Ekpene Road near Obeama junction running through Ariam Alala. However, this road has become a nightmare because of the continued threat of gully erosion. The Mayor promised to provide the Hon Commissioner with photos/ videos of the road and the gully sites. The Mayor Dr Nwaubani expressed gratitude to the Governor and the Commissioner for the inspection. He recalled how the Commissioner had asked him to remind him of the Gullies and the Ariam Usaka Ring Road. Dr Nwaubani was so happy that the Hon Commissioner had made good his word.

The Commissioner and his Team passed through Obeama- Ekpiri- Awomukwu(Amapu) on their way back to Umuahia.

The Ariam Usaka Ring Road is made up of Part A and
Part B. Part A takes off from Amapu (Awomukwu) to Ekpiri Osoaji and runs through Obeama( all in Ariam) and joins the Umuahia/ Ikot Ekpene Federal Road. The Part B moves from Umuahia /Ikot Ekpene Road at Ariam Alala junction and goes through Ime Ariam, Ugwuegbu, and down to pass through all the villages in Usaka Clan including Ekwelu and terminates at Umuahia Ikot Ekpene Road after Ekwelu.

The Hon Commissioner had earlier on his way branched off at Umualor Awomukwu to assess Umugo Awomukwu road in Oloko Ward 1 of Oloko Clan. It’s indeed a day of a busy schedule for the Hon Commissioner and we are grateful to him and HE Dr Alex Chioma Otti- the infrastructure-orientated governor of Abia State.

Signed:
Pst. Monday E. Ironcho
Media Head
Office of Executive Mayor
Ikwuano LGA