HOW ABIA STATE LOST OVER N3BN IN OSISIOMA FLYOVER

HON DESTINY NWAGWU

On 20th of January, 2017 when I heard the news that Abia State Government under the leadership of Okezie Ikpeazu has flagged off a project to erect a bridge (flyover) at Osisioma junction, I was glad. I was glad because the need to build a bridge at that Osisioma junction was long overdue. I was glad because, finally Gov Okezie Ikpeazu for the first time decided to do something different from his predecessors. For me, that action was a plus for him.

However, my joy was cut short prematurely on the revelation I got about the project. The government of Abia State had no timeline when the project will be completed, whereas in Anambra, three similar bridges were completed and delivered in 1 year and 3 months.

The bridge at Osisioma was projected to cost Abia State close to a whooping N5bn. Three (3) similar bridges cost Anambra State under Gov Willie Obiano the sum of N5bn which ironically Gov Ikpeazu was using to build one (1) bridge. That means Gov Obiano of Anambra State may have used N1.7bn to build one bridges while Gov Okezie was using N5bn in Abia State – a difference of more than N3b. God have mercy!

These revelations made me realise that Gov Ikpeazu commissioned that project in order to use it as a conduit pipe to steal our limited resources. So the idea was centered on satisfying his selfish interest of enriching himself. And because of this selfish reason, he did not subject the project to any form of public tender nor call for bidding. So obviously, he gave the project to a company that he knows would do whatever he desired.

Let me reiterate that Gov Obiano completed three (3) fine bridges in Anambra within fifteen (15) months with N5bn. But Gov Okezie was yet to complete one (1) bridge in fifteen (15) months with N5bn.

Ndi Abia can only pray and hope that after 2019 general elections, that the state will have a governor who won’t be as selfish, insincere and deceptive as Governor Ikpeazu.