By Mercy Aikoye
The House of Representatives has urged the Ministry of Works to allocate at least N1 billion in the 2025 budget estimates for the construction of the Onitsha–Atani–Ossomala–Ogwuikpele–Ndoni Road.
This resolution was made following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Afam Victor Ogene.
The House noted that the Onitsha–Atani–Ossomala–Ogwuikpele–Ndoni Road is a critical link between the South East and Rivers State, with significant economic importance due to commercial, oil, and gas activities along its corridor. As a result, the road has been a priority project for the Federal Government, consistently included in the budget for the past 10 years.
Despite its importance, the construction work on the road has stalled due to poor budgetary provisions and insufficient funding. In 2024, the budget allocation for the project was a mere N80 million. This inadequate funding has led to devastating consequences, including floods that have ravaged the earthworks and reversed progress already made.
The poor state of the road has resulted in ditches and worsened its deplorable condition, cutting off five communities from the rest of the Ogbaru Federal Constituency. This has created an environment conducive to banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery, which have become rampant along the corridor.
The House is aware of the urgent need to expedite action on completing the construction work. This will not only reconnect the affected communities to the rest of the Federal Constituency but also restore the road’s economic contributions to the national economy. Furthermore, it will help eradicate all forms of criminalities on the route.
To ensure the allocation of the necessary funds, the House mandated the Committee on Appropriations to include the sum of N1 billion in the 2025 Budget estimate for the construction of the Onitsha–Atani–Ossomala–Ogwuikpele–Ndoni Road. The Committee on Legislative Compliance was also mandated to ensure compliance.
The motion sponsored by Hon. Afam Victor Ogene highlighted the need for urgent attention to the Onitsha–Atani–Ossomala–Ogwuikpele–Ndoni Road. The House’s resolution is a step in the right direction towards addressing the challenges faced by the communities affected by the road’s poor condition.
In conclusion, the House of Representatives’ resolution is a welcome development, and it is hoped that the Ministry of Works will allocate the necessary funds for the construction of the Onitsha–Atani–Ossomala–Ogwuikpele–Ndoni Road in the 2025 budget estimates.
