Nigerian govt orders stop of construction on Nnewi roads over approval issues

The federal government has stopped the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial Zone, Ifeanyi Ubah from proceeding with the construction of the old Oba-Nnewi-Ozubulu-Okija federal highway.

A letter by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, signed by the Federal Controller, Works in Anambra State, Mr Chidi Ezeala to the company handling the construction asked that all construction works on the roads be stopped immediately.

Ubah had a week ago cried at a public function, lamenting that the Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano was frustrating his attempt to provide good roads for his people.

He accused Obiano of unwillingness to work on the road, yet frustrating his attempt to fix the roads in his Senatorial Zone by stopping construction works.

But the commissioner for works in Anambra State, Mr Marcel Ifejiofor who addressed a press conference on Friday said that Obiano or Anambra government did not stop anyone from constructing roads, rather the federal government through the ministry of works stopped the construction company from working on a federal road in Nnewi because approval was not given.

A copy of the letter by the Ministry of Works to the company, which was made available to MediaNG read, “It has been brought to our notice that your construction company is presently carrying out palliative works on the above-named road.

“We appreciate your good intentions in assisting to put our roads in a good state, however, we advise that you follow all necessary due processes required to enable you work on any federal highway.

“In view of the above, you are requested to stop all your construction activities on any federal highways in Anambra until you are granted approval to do so,” the letter read in part.

Ifejiofor told journalists that contrary to insinuations that the Anambra government stopped the company from ongoing construction work, it was the federal government that issued the order.

“Roads in Nigeria are divided into categories. There are federal, state, local and community roads. Federal roads are most times inter-state roads and need permission from the federal government before one can work on them.

“If you get approval, they tell you the specification of their roads and you can now proceed to work on them. Even before the federal government works on state roads, they seek our approval and we give them our specification too. Our standard here is end to end, with drainage.

“We have a lot of roads in Anambra State. We are even appealing for wealthy people to take some of our roads and work on them. We did not stop anyone from building roads, the federal government did,” he clarified.