In a decisive move to salvage a critical international transport and economic corridor, the House of Representatives on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, called for the immediate intervention and settlement of outstanding payments for the reconstruction of the strategic Abakaliki-Ikwo-Oferekpe-Obubra Road Project.
The urgent legislative motion, spearheaded by Hon. Chinedu N. Ogah, highlights the severe risks, economic losses, and tragic accidents caused by the suspension of construction activities along the vital route, which traverses the Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State, extends into Cross River State, and serves as an international transport corridor linking Nigeria to the Republic of Cameroon.
The Abakaliki–Ikwo–Oferekpe–Obubra road is much more than a regional thoroughfare; it is a vital economic artery connecting the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones. Serving as the primary gateway from the rich agrarian and mineral belt of Ebonyi State, renowned nationwide for its massive production of rice, yam, and salt, to the Calabar Port and the Calabar Free Trade Zone, the road is essential for driving rural-urban commerce and regional integration.
However, the House expressed deep concern that construction activities have ground to a halt. Prolonged delays in honoring certified Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs), compounded by steep macroeconomic material price escalations, particularly in Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), bitumen, cement, and reinforcement steel, have forced the contractor to demobilize critical machinery.
Tragically, this stall has also led to the disengagement of over 300 local youths previously employed across Ikwo and Ezza South, while leaving dangerous, open excavations along the corridor that have caused recurrent fatal accidents and severe damage to commuters’ vehicles.
While acknowledging the monumental infrastructure vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Agenda, lawmakers emphasized that abandoning this link threatens the administration’s core objective of integrating rural production hubs directly into the national economic grid. Left unaddressed, continued delays risk eroding completed earthworks, inviting severe contractual claims, and inflating the overall contract sum.
Completing the corridor is projected to drastically reduce travel time along the Abakaliki–Calabar–Cameroon axis, boost cross-border agricultural trade, enhance regional security, and stimulate long-term employment opportunities for host communities.
Following robust deliberations, the House resolved to take immediate action through the following directives:
Commendation:
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for approving and funding the Ebonyi-Cross River infrastructure corridor.
The Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, CON, for his hands-on supervision, engineering innovation, and dedication to high infrastructure standards.
The Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for initiating the construction of the road prior to its federal takeover.
Urged the Federal Ministries of Works, Finance, and Budget and Economic Planning to prioritize, process, and settle all verified and outstanding IPCs owed to the contractor to facilitate immediate remobilization to the site.
Urged the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to ensure adequate budgetary allocations for the project in the 2026 Supplementary Budget and the 2027 Appropriation Bill to guarantee uninterrupted funding through completion.
Mandated the House Committees on Works, Appropriations, and Finance to interface with relevant ministries to review the project’s funding status and ensure transparent disbursement. Additionally, the Committee on Legislative Compliance has been mandated to monitor the implementation of these resolutions and report back within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.
