UMUAHIA — The Abia Government and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of an access road across the railway corridor linking Okpara Square and Akanu Ibiam Street (Goodshed) to Bende Road in Umuahia.
The MoU was signed at the Governor’s Office, Umuahia, as part of efforts to improve connectivity, ease traffic and transform the state capital.
Speaking at the ceremony, Gov. Alex Otti said the project was part of a comprehensive plan to give Umuahia a facelift and address traffic challenges along the corridor.
He said the planned integration of the railway station with the Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal would create a transportation hub in the state capital.
“And that’s why it is important that we have this. Because there are a lot of things, like I told you (MD), the last time, what we have in mind.
“And by the time we integrate the mega station into the terminal, it will become a transportation hub.
“So, with the railway station, with the bus terminal, and of course, every other thing that goes with it to be in the same place. And it will look nice. So, now that we have this done, we can go ahead and commence,” Otti stated.
The governor directed the Commissioner for Transport, Dr Isaac Chimezie Ukaegbu; Commissioner for Works, Engr. Otumchere Oti; General Manager, Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Hon. Kingsley Agomuo, and other relevant officials to work together to deliver the project expeditiously.
Otti also urged the NRC Managing Director, Dr Kayode Opeifa, to consider increasing the number of trains operating from Port Harcourt to Aba.
He assured the corporation of the state government’s continued support for Federal Government initiatives that would benefit Abia.
“See how we can do that. For us here, I’m sure you may have seen in the news that the new electric buses have come in, increasing the number to 40. Another 30 is on the way.
“So, that will be the bus covering the entire State. So, if we have the railway, including the other one I mentioned to you that I’m thinking about, and we are working with brother Governors in the Southeast to also integrate all our States on a rail network that will not belong to NRC, but will be supported hugely by NRC. That’s the way it works, everywhere in the world,” Otti stated.
The governor further raised the issue of relocating the existing police station within the railway corridor.
He directed the UCDA General Manager to relocate the station temporarily within the facility and prepare a design for a new railway station incorporating a police station for onward submission to the NRC.
Otti thanked the NRC Managing Director for using Abia as an example to other states and for appointing Mr Francis Ejike from Enugu State as the corporation’s Regional Head in the South-East.
He urged Ejike to sustain the performance for which he had been commended by the NRC management.
“I want to thank you. And I want to congratulate Ejike for doing his job well and getting to the level very quickly where the MD can say, once Ejike is there, the problem is solved,” the governor said.
Earlier, Opeifa said the MoU was executed to facilitate the construction of the access road through the railway corridor in Umuahia.
He explained that the road would link Okpara Square through Goodshed and Akanu Ibiam Road to Bende Road, thereby improving connectivity and easing traffic within the state capital.
According to him, the Abia Government sought the corporation’s approval as part of its plan to transform the transport sector, adding that the request was approved after the state fulfilled all conditions required by the NRC.
Opeifa described the Abia Government as responsive and responsible, saying its commitment to due process influenced the corporation’s decision to execute the MoU.
He commended Otti’s leadership style, saying he frequently cited the governor as a model of transformative governance.
The NRC managing director also praised Otti’s commitment to collaboration and partnership irrespective of political affiliation, as well as the administration’s infrastructure development across the state.
He described the recently completed Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal as a top-notch project reflecting the administration’s focus on transportation and mobility.
Opeifa also requested the relocation of the existing police station within the railway corridor to a more suitable location and asked that the architectural design for the proposed new railway station be shared with him.
He expressed confidence that the partnership would strengthen infrastructure, improve mobility and promote economic growth in Abia.
The meeting was attended by Ukaegbu; Oti; Agomuo; and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport, Dr Obioma Nwaogbe.
