A concerned citizen of Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, Mr. Ehiemere Clinton Chimezie, has expressed serious worries over the deplorable condition of the Obehie – Ezendioma (144 Battalion) road, which was reportedly awarded to Anstro Global Concept by the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC) for over two years.
In a statement forwarded exclusively to Newsportal, Ehiemere said the road had remained in a critical condition despite financial disbursements made by ASOPADEC since the contract for the reconstruction of the road was awarded. He highlighted that those who use the road for their businesses have continued to suffer untold hardships, as it has become almost impassable.
According to Ehiemere, he had to call Eletuo by phone over the condition of the road. Referring to Eletuo, he said: “I vividly remember calling you in February 2026 to ask about the Obehie–Ezendioma Road, knowing that you were the contractor handling the project. During our conversation, you specifically told me that Ven. Joshua Onyeike had not given you any money to commence the road construction and that you had personally used over ₦100 million of your hard-earned money to commence the project. You further told me that Ven. Joshua Onyeike, the ASOPADEC General Manager, was owing you and had failed to release the funds required for the project. You even advised me to question Onyeike about what was responsible for the delay in the road project.”
He said information available to him was that one Engr. Emeka Beremako, a former Director of Works with ASOPADEC allegedly paid Anselm Eletuo the sum of N70 million as mobilisation, adding that a total of N333 million had allegedly been paid to Eletuo for the execution of the project.
Continuing, Ehiemere queries, “Hon. Anselm Eletuo, what happened to the ₦333 million allegedly released to you for the Obehie–Ezendioma Road? If you did not receive this money, then you should publicly state so and provide the facts. If you received it, the people of Ukwa deserve to know how it was spent, what portion was used for the road, and what work was actually executed.”
“Hon. Anselm Eletuo, the people of Ukwa deserve accountability. If the allegations against you are false, you have every opportunity to publicly refute them and present evidence showing exactly what happened to the funds and the project. But if the allegations are true, then you have serious questions to answer concerning the management and utilisation of the money allegedly released for the road.”
Ehiemere said the people of Ukwa should not be forced to accept conflicting narratives while an important road remains abandoned and in deplorable condition.
