People of Idima Abam Community in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, have petitioned the House of Representatives, over the deplorable state of the Umuahia-Brnde-Ohafia federal road particularly the Nmuri bridge connecting the community with Ohafia.

The petition is coming on the heels of a ghastly auto crash that occured on the Nmuri bridge on December 22, 2024, claiming no fewer than seven lives.

The people expressed fury over the slow pace of work by the contractor handling the rehabilitation of the road which was awarded by the federal government in 2018 to Heartland Setraco Ltd.

This is as the House of Representatives has urged the Inspector-General of Police to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident, and to consider charging the contractor with “corporate manslaughter.”

The deplorable condition of the road, according to the petition, has resulted to carnages, traffic delays and disruptions in economic and commercial activities.

Member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa, who presented the petition on behalf of his constituents, told Vanguard that poor condition of the road and dilapidating narrow Nmuri bridge posed serious risk to the people.

Osonwa said:”I brought to the attention of the House, a matter of Urgent Public Importance concerning the perilous condition of the Nmuri Bridge and the F107 Road in Ebem Ohafia, Abia State.

” The current state of these infrastructures poses significant risks to the safety and well-being of our citizens, as they are essential routes for transportation and commerce.
“Given the alarming reports of accidents and the inconvenience faced by commuters, it is imperative that we prioritize the urgent repair and maintenance of these key structures. I urged my fellow members to recognize the gravity of this situation and take swift action to allocate necessary resources and attention to ensure the safety of the residents and visitors who rely on these vital connections”.

The lawmaker had in a motion of urgent matter of importance, urged the House to compel the contractor to speed up the execution of the road rehabilitation.

He also called for an investigation into various payments and the cause(s) of delays in the execution of the project.

The motion, a copy of which was made available to Vanguard read:”Notes with grave concern the deteriorating state of the Nmuri Bridge Access and the F107 road in Ebem Ohafia, Abia State, which serve as critical infrastructure connecting the Umuahia-Bende-Arochukwu-Ohafia to other neighbouring towns and fostering socioeconomic activities in the region;

“Further notes that the Nmuri access of the F107 Road has suffered extensive damage, rendering it hazardous for commuters, while the F107 road is riddled with potholes and erosion gullies, causing accidents and delays, particularly during the rainy season;

“Aware that the unsafe condition of the road has resulted in numerous fatalities, loss of properties, and has significantly hampered the movement of goods and services, which is detrimental to the economic wellbeing of the people of Ohafia and surrounding Communities;

“Acknowledges that the contract for the reconstruction of the F107 Ohafia Bende Umuahia road was awarded in 2018 to Hartland Setraco for the sum of N5.49 billion under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Works;

“Aware that the Federal Executive Council approved an additional N12 billion for the project, with over N300 million allocated in the 2021 and N400 Million in 2024 Appropriation Bill, raising suspicions of corruption and mismanagement.

“Further aware that the continued neglect of these critical infrastructures poses a serious threat to public safety, hinders access to essential services such as healthcare, education and businesses undermines the government’s commitment to equitable development across all regions;

“Disheartened that the bad condition of the F107 Road made Sunday, 22nd December 2024, a black Sunday in my Constituency, as a tragic accident occurred at approximately 1:30 pm, involving a chippings-filled trailer that overturned, tragically claiming the lives of seven innocent travellers;

“Cognizant of the urgent need to avert further loss of lives and damage to properties by prioritizing the reconstruction of the Nmuri axis and the rehabilitation of the F107 road”.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has urged the House Committees on Works, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), PublicAccounts, and Public Procurement to jointly conduct a comprehensive investigation into the activities and funding of the project.