Abia Govt Partners NRC to Construct 200m Link Road to Ease Traffic in Umuahia

By Ezechukwu Adimoha

As part of efforts to create alternative routes and ease traffic congestion within Umuahia metropolis, the Abia State Government has entered into partnership with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to construct a 200-metre link road from Bende Road Junction by Post Office Tower, through the railway crossing, to the First Bank/Akanu Ibiam Road axis.

The State Government will also reconstruct the abandoned road linking First Bank to the Keystone, Sterling and FCMB bank areas, providing motorists with an alternative and shorter route without passing through the Government House axis.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing journalists at Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting, presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Prince Kanu said construction of the link road would commence soon following the completion of the project design and scoping.

He explained that the projects were designed to ease traffic congestion around Bende Road and improve access for motorists travelling to the Federal Medical Centre and Isigate axis.

The Commissioner noted that the intervention would also improve traffic flow along Okpara Avenue, describing the projects as part of the Governor Otti-led administration’s plan to bring the state’s transport sector up to 21st-century standards.

Prince Kanu further disclosed that the State Government had intensified its urban renewal efforts in Umuahia, with major interventions in flood control.

He said significant progress had been recorded on the Emede-Ibeku Flood Control Programme, with piling works reaching about 90 per cent completion, while excavation and construction of drainage channels had reached about 80 per cent completion.

The Commissioner also disclosed that improvement work was ongoing at the Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal as part of efforts to maintain its modern status. He said the work included the expansion of ticketing facilities to cope with increasing passenger traffic and the installation of solar mini-grid carports to provide 24-hour power supply.

On the Abia Green Shuttle Bus Service, Prince Kanu said the scheme had recorded 560,784 passengers since its launch. He said 196,950 passengers used the service between December 2025 and February 2026, when free rides were offered, while 303,834 passengers used the service between its commercialisation in March and the end of August 2026.

The Commissioner for Health, Professor Ogbonnaya Uche, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma and the General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Mr Kingsley Agomoh, were also present at the briefing.