Federal Ministry of Works Clarifies: Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene Highway Remains Federal Project Amid Abia State’s Claims of Initiation

The Federal Ministry of Works has pushed back against assertions by the Abia State Government that the Umuahia–Ikwuano–Ikot Ekpene federal highway is among newly initiated state projects, insisting that the trunk ‘A’ road continues to be executed and funded by the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Chidi Uwaeziozi, Controller of Works for Abia State in the Federal Ministry of Works, addressed reporters to clarify the project’s status, countering recent statements from Governor Alex Otti’s administration that listed the interstate road as a state-led initiative.

Uwaeziozi explained that the Federal Government restructured the contract last year by dividing the approximately 49-kilometer highway into two phases to accelerate completion. Phase One remains under federal oversight and is being handled by Hartland Construction Company Limited (also referred to as Hartland Civil Engineering Construction), with approximately 1.5 kilometers remaining to be completed. He stressed that the original contractor is legally required to complete this remaining section before vacating the site.

The Controller faulted the Abia State Government’s inclusion of the road in its list of new projects, noting that rehabilitation work—covering around 25 kilometers to date—has been ongoing under federal supervision long before the current state administration. He highlighted that the project was first secured through legislative efforts as early as 2016, facilitated by former House of Representatives member Sam Onuigbo, who represented the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency and moved a motion to draw federal attention to the road’s deplorable condition.

Recent developments indicate a collaborative approach rather than a full takeover: President Tinubu has approved the handover of Phase Two (approximately 25 kilometers) to the Abia State Government, which has engaged its own contractor, Geld Construction Company, to work simultaneously alongside the federal team. This coordinated approach aims to ensure the timely completion of the vital economic corridor linking Abia State to Akwa Ibom State and beyond.

Former lawmaker Sam Onuigbo has expressed appreciation for the Tinubu administration’s continued interest in the project while criticizing attempts to present it as a fresh state endeavor, arguing that such claims undermine years of advocacy, legislative intervention, and federal funding that revived the long-deteriorated highway.

The clarification from the Federal Ministry of Works comes amid public scrutiny over credit for infrastructure progress in the South-East region, with both governments now working in parallel to address commuter challenges and boost regional connectivity.