By Chidinma Omar
Senior legal practitioner, Dr Monday Ubani, SAN has indicated his intention to drag Hartland Construction Company before the Senate Committee on Public Petitions to answer questions on its failure to fully execute the contract for the reconstruction of the Umuahia – Ikwuano – Ikot Ekpene Road despite an augmentation of N14.37billion by the Federal Executive Council on February 3, to ensure that the construction continues without delays.
The 49-kilometre federal road contract awarded in 2019 at N13 billion is being handled by Hartland Construction Company and Raycon Construction Company. Due to the dilapidated state of road the journey from Umuahia to Ikot Ekpene on the 49 kilometre road during the rainy season, takes over six hours even putting at risk heavy-duty vehicles conveying goods from Akwa Ibom and Cross River States
Proffering reasons why the construction company must appear before the Senate Committee, Ubani argues that despite recently approved additional funding for the road, why is the contractor not on site? He also raises other queries that the company must respond to: Why is the pace of work still alarmingly slow? What happened to the NNPC funds previously announced? How much has been expended so far, and can the work done justify the billions reportedly allocated?
Ubani further maintained that the Hartland must provide a clear timeline when will it will resume full work on the road.
Ubani added that what triggered his recent public intervention was a disturbing report that the reconstruction work will not terminate at the Abia-Akwa Ibom border as earlier envisaged
According to him, the company had told some community leaders that they had only a few more kilometres left before terminating the project and advised that local leaders should “speak out” if those communities hoped to benefit. He described the revelation as both heartbreaking and unacceptable
Earlier, Ubani had written a public letter to President Bola Tinubu lamenting that the people of Ikwuano LGA of Abia State and indeed all road users between Abia and Akwa Ibom, Cross River demand with due respect, immediate government intervention on the road
“This road, which is a major link between Abia and Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, has become a death trap. Accidents have become frequent and fatal. The road is nearly impassable, especially during the rainy season, and the impact on commerce, agriculture, education, and the general well-being of our people is devastating. For over twenty years, our people have endured unbearable suffering on this route.
“We implore Your Excellency to urgently direct the relevant authorities, especially the Minister of Works to investigate and resolve whatever is stalling progress and ensure the immediate resumption and completion of this vital project that of great economic importance to the region and Nigeria generally”, he stated in the letter which was copied the Minister of Works and the Senate President.
Ubani also replied Hon Sam Onuigbo, former member of the House of Representatives and board member of the North East Development Commission, NEDC
In a statement, Ubani states: “My attention has been drawn to the recent rebuttal and attack by Hon. Sam Onuigbo concerning my consistent and unwavering advocacy for the completion of the Ikwuano/Ikot Ekpene federal road project.
“Let me state unequivocally and solemnly: If my advocacy for the completion of this critical road infrastructure is motivated by a selfish political agenda or personal vendetta, may it never be well with me, my family, and my generations. But if my actions are genuinely driven by the desire to see my people enjoy the basic dividends of democracy and to ensure that Ikwuano is connected by a good road for the benefit of all, may the Almighty God whom we all serve bless me and my family beyond measure for generations to come.
“I have deliberately maintained a dignified silence on the state of this road project for a long time, trusting that those who facilitated the award of the contract and the contractor, Hartland Company, would do the needful. Unfortunately, what we have received instead are endless excuses and minimal progress since the project commenced in 2019.
“My people will recall that I vowed that this particular project would not suffer the fate of previous abandoned road contracts in our area. I pledged to pursue its completion vigorously, and that is precisely what I am doing. I shall not be deterred by name-calling, blackmail, or political distractions.
“What triggered my recent public intervention was a disturbing report I received from the President General of Awomukwu and the Mayor of Ikwuano, both of whom I encouraged to engage with Hartland Company for a firsthand update on the project status. According to them, and this can be independently verified, the company stated clearly that their construction works would not extend to Ekebedi, Awomukwu, and Ariam communities. They claimed they had only a few more kilometers left before terminating the project, and advised that local leaders should “speak out” if those communities hoped to benefit.
“This revelation was both heartbreaking and unacceptable.
“First, the pace and quality of the current work are grossly inadequate. Second, to now learn that entire communities may be excluded from the scope of the contract has left me no choice but to take decisive action. I have consequently prepared a formal petition to the Senate Committee on Public Petitions to summon the contractor and their alleged backers to explain to the people of Ikwuano the cause of this delay and the exclusion of critical areas from the project.
“We have also learned that the Federal Executive Council recently approved additional funding for this road. If so, where is the contractor? Why is the pace still alarmingly slow? What happened to the NNPC funds previously announced? How much has been expended so far, and can the work done justify the billions reportedly allocated?
“It is worrisome that Hartland has maintained a conspicuous silence, leaving Hon. Sam Onuigbo, who claims credit for attracting the contract, to speak for them. With due respect, my brother Hon. Onuigbo must understand that this project is not about him; it is about the people of Ikwuano. It is not a matter of political relevance, it is a matter of life, development, and access for our people.
“I am not in any contest with anyone. I, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN, simply want a functional, durable road from Umuahia to Ikot Ekpene, one that benefits every village along the corridor, including mine.
“My happiness will be complete the day it takes me just 25 minutes to drive from Umuahia to Awomukwu. That is the future I envision, and that is what I am fighting for.
“Therefore, I respectfully urge Hon. Onuigbo, as the self-appointed spokesman of the contractor, to give the people of Ikwuano regular and transparent updates on the project. That would help end these unnecessary confrontations and reassure our people of the sincerity of the entire effort.
“May God judge everyone involved in this matter according to the purity, or otherwise, of their intentions.
“We demand a clear timeline: When will Hartland resume full work? When will the entire stretch from Umuahia to Ikot Ekpene be completed without omitting any Ikwuano community?”
