Abia Community Celebrates NDDC Road Project After Decades of Inaccessibility

The people of Umuobasiukwu Kingdom in Ozuitem, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, turned the flag-off of an emergency road project into a day of jubilation after decades of isolation.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) recently commenced the emergency construction of the Umuikwuoma–Ozu Road and Ozuitem Road, complete with solar street lights. For the community, this marked the end of years of neglect and hardship caused by poor road access.

Cannons sounded as women sang and danced in a procession from the flag-off point to the palace of the traditional ruler, Eze John O. Akaliro, Obasiukwu II of Umuobasiukwu Kingdom. Many described the development as divine intervention.

Eze Hardy O. Ejikeme, traditional ruler of Ndiagho, said the road project would transform the social and economic life of the people, adding that “after many years, God has heard our cries.”

For years, Ndiambe and surrounding villages had been inaccessible, creating severe hardships. Residents recalled struggles such as carrying corpses on foot for burials and transporting goods on their heads from distant junctions because vehicles could not reach their homes. Traders like Mrs. Ngozi Eke described the stress of carrying heavy goods from the road junction to their shops.

The NDDC, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, awarded the contract to Karm Offshore Services Limited, owned by Ozuitem indigene Mark James. The commission said the project is part of an accelerated plan to link rural communities with good roads.

During the site handover at the palace, Eze Akaliro pledged full cooperation and assured the NDDC that youths would not obstruct the project. The Youth President, Chijioke Obuji, echoed this promise, saying the entire community was committed to supporting the completion of the road.

NDDC Project Officer, Engr. Ndubuisi Nkwoka, confirmed that most non-technical jobs on the project would be given to local residents. He commended the contractor’s technical capacity and inspected the equipment on site, assuring that the project would be delivered on time.

Prominent indigenes like retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Azubuko J. Udah, said the road would open up economic opportunities and improve social interaction. He called for unity to attract more development.

For Mark James, the project is personal. As a native of Ozuitem, he understands the community’s struggles and promised to deliver the road to the highest standard. The people, who rolled out the drums for the flag-off, are already looking forward to an even bigger celebration when the road is completed and inaugurated.